Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois spoke about the defeat to Barcelona in a friendly match

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In the end, we were quite competitive, we created, we worked well… We will never be satisfied with a defeat, but the match could have gone either way. Some details tipped the scales. But it's pre-season, we're still working well, and many players played very well in the last 20 minutes. "That's the good side of the game, and we will continue to have more minutes before the match against Atalanta," Courtois said, as quoted by AS. On August 14, the Madrid club will face Italian club Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup match. The new La Liga season will begin on August 15.

The new La Liga season promises to be an exciting one for Real Madrid. After a successful 2022-23 campaign that saw them win the Champions League and La Liga, the club are looking to build on that success and cement their place among the best teams in European football.

One of Real Madrid's biggest challenges this season will be managing the transition of their ageing squad. Veteran players like Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema are entering the twilight of their careers, and the club will have to find a way to gradually integrate younger players into the team without disrupting the winning formula.

In the transfer market, Real Madrid have been relatively quiet, with the only major signing Chelsea are the only club to have signed a contract with Real Madrid, but so far that is defender Antonio Rüdiger. The club are reportedly interested in several other players, including Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappé, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to complete any major deals before the start of the season.

Off the pitch, the club also faces a number of challenges, including the ongoing renovations to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the club's finances. However, with the continued leadership of coach Carlo Ancelotti and the support of their loyal fans, Real Madrid will look to overcome these challenges and cement their status as one of the best clubs in world football.

Despite the challenges, there is a sense of optimism and excitement surrounding Real Madrid's prospects for the upcoming season. The team has a strong core of talented players, and with the right mix of experience and youth, they could be able to dominate both domestically and in Europe once again.

As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Real Madrid as they look to defend their titles and continue their winning streak. It promises to be a thrilling campaign, and fans of the club will be hoping that their team can once again rise to the occasion and deliver more trophies for the club.

Thibaut Courtois