Differences between Zidane and Lopetegui: Fewer races, more communication LaLiga - Real Madrid New coach has been well received

Each coach has his method which is no better or worse at this point of the year, with only results dictating judgment.

But at Valdebebas, among the few players of the Real Madrid first team that exercised under the orders of the new boss, the differences between Zinedine Zidane and Julen Lopetegui be found.

According to the dressing room, there are two aspects which are totally different.

Communication and physical preparation.

Starting with the latter, in the first week of work there has been no trace of the traditional, continuous races with which Zidane welcomed the players after the summer break.

Circuits of at least half an hour that have gone down in history, and which the group doesn't miss at all.

Physical coach Pintus used to have to take the group round and round the pitch, and up and down the stairs of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu stands.

Pintus has survived Zizou's departure, but his method is not the one that is used now at Valdebebas.

Practically all of the work is with the ball except warm-ups, some gym work and very specific stretches.

Further, at least in the week since Lopetegui took over, he appears to be more communicative than Zidane, taking into account that the players present now in Valdebebas, except Bale and Benzema, were the least used last season.

Dani Ceballos, Theo, Borja Mayoral, Vallejo and Llorente have met with a coach more aware of them and one who has been happy to engage in dialogue.

All five have spoken very highly of him.

New Horizon

It's communication that this group of players have been grateful for, because with Zidane they saw themselves as very much second class citizens during the whole of last season.

Ceballos, for example, has extra motivation in training, something that Lopetegui is encouraging.

Now some familiar faces will return, as the Spanish internationals come back after a World Cup where their new club coach was relieved of his duties as head of the national team.

Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Nacho will all be welcomed with open arms, and it's a fact among this group that the news of Lopetegui's signing for Madrid was more than welcomed.