Rafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez spoke on Monday at the Westin Munich hotel ahead of the Audi Cup, which Real Madrid starts tomorrow against Tottenham at the Allianz Arena (18.15 La 1 and Real Madrid TV). Benitez talked about the team's improvement goals after the tour of Asia and Oceania and the absences of Cristiano and Benzema: "It's an excellent tournament and we will play against teams that are very competitive. I am delighted with the feelings because I have seen the desire they have to achieve victories. Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema are not coming. We preferred not to risk because the health of the players is important. Almost everyone is here." He also defended Bale and did not send a clear message about Benzema, whom Arsenal is interested in: "I believe he is staying, I am happy with him, and I don't think there are reasons to believe that he is going to leave...".
Reinforcements
"I said before that Madrid has signed some players but has a great squad. My goal is to improve them to be as competitive as we have always been."
Bale
Gareth is a huge player for us, I'm not going to talk about offers. I know he wants to play well, he is happy. He is going to have a good season for sure."
Kroos
"I agree with Pep Guardiola. He is a great player, he will play tomorrow, and his level of Spanish is acceptable (laughs)".
De Gea
"I have said in five press conferences that I do not want to talk about players who are on other teams. We have three very good teams. Keylor Navas, Casilla... I can talk about these goalkeepers, not about other goalkeepers."
Odegaard
"Every game is important for the players".
Benzema
"My response is that I think Benzema is going to stay with us, I am very happy with him. There is no reason to think that he is going to leave".