Benitez unworried as Real Madrid lose opening friendly of pre-season

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez was not unduly worried after seeing his side slip to a defeat to AS Roma following a penalty shoot out to give his first game in charge a disappointing end.

Fielding a side without several key players in the Australian city of Melbourne, Real Madrid paid the price for some missed chances, although Benitez explained there was no need for panic.

"As always happens at the start of a pre-season you have to realize we have only been working for five days and there were a lot of positives," he said after the game.

"We created chances, but failed to take them, but we are speaking of just five days of work," explained the coach who was satisfied with the defensive work.

"The most positive thing about the game was the pressure we put them under. We still lack the fitness to have taken advantage of that. Maybe we controlled the game more in the first half, but we showed good energy after the break," he explained.

Benitez highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo, who he said, he had "a good attitude, as well as the other players," while the coach admitted he would be able to draw more conclusions about youngster Jese Rodriguez "when he have better rhythm."

One player who may find his Madrid future limited is Lucas Silva and Benitez hinted that the Brazilian' s lack of an EU passport could be a factor when it comes to making a final decision on who will stay and go in an overbooked midfield. "He is not from the EU and we have to make some decision," said Benitez. Enditem