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Benitez sees room for improvement after narrow Bernabeu trophy win

Xinhua, August 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

Rafael Benitez watched his side claim a rather unconvincing 2-1 win over Turkish side Galatasaray on Tuesday night and admitted there was still plenty of room for improvement.

Goals from defenders Nacho and Marcelo gave Madrid the narrow win in their traditional pre-season opener, but with the BBVA Primera Liga due to kick off away to Sporting Gijon this weekend, speaking to the press in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Benitez said he expected more from his players as the season progressed.

"The team is doing well but we have a lot of improving to do. There were some positive things but we lacked the control which would have made the game more manageable," said Benitez, who added that the team had "margin to improve."

Benitez showed that he believes Gareth Bale is going to be a key player this season as the Welshman was given a free role in the middle of the attack.

"He creates spaces and looks to make runs behind the defense. If he had scored in the game, everyone would have said he had given a great performance, but if you look at the way he moves, you will see how he takes the pressure off," explained the Real Madrid coach, who also hailed the arrival of Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

"He's a quality player... he's dynamic, passes the ball well and has a decent shot. He doesn't shy away from his responsibilities and that will make him a great player for Real Madrid," said Benitez, who confirmed that midfielder Marcos Asensio would go out on loan for a season, but refused to be drawn into the long running debate over David de Gea, who the club are looking to sign from Manchester United.

"Keylor Navas had a very good game and I have two good goalkeepers," commented the Madrid coach. Endit