Julen Lopetegui Says Super Cup Defeat Will Not Prompt More Real Madrid Signings

Julen Lopetegui insists Real Madrid's 4-2 extra-time defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday will not alter the club's transfer policy. 

Los Blancos have been quiet in the transfer window this summer despite Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, and Lopetegui told Movistar there will be no late splurge from the Madrid outfit (h/t Goal's Jamie Smith): "What was outlined by the club's sports policy does not change by this final. Now La Liga starts, which is a very important title for me, and we have to start well."

Real's defeat to their city rivals in Estonia marked an inauspicious start to Lopetegui's competitive tenure after he was named as Zinedine Zidane's successor earlier this summer.

Los Blancos were leading just after the hour when Sergio Ramos made it 2-1 from the penalty spot following goals from Karim Benzema and Diego Costa.

But Costa then equalised with 11 minutes of normal time remaining before Saul Niguez and Koke netted in extra time to condemn the UEFA Champions League holders to defeat.

Ronaldo's absence was noticeable, and Real are surely going to suffer without a player who averaged 50 goals a season in his nine campaigns with the club.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Thibaut Courtois is the only summer addition Real have made who is likely to imminently break into the first team at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Teenager Vinicius Junior is an exciting attacking prospect, but if Real are to adequately replace Ronaldo in 2018-19 without making any new signings, some members of the first team are going to have to step up.

The likes of Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio and Isco will need to improve their goalscoring contributions.

Defeat in the Super Cup is hardly a disaster for Lopetegui given it is effectively an exhibition match.

However, Real's La Liga campaign gets under way on Sunday against Getafe. And if Real do not claim an easy victory, questions will already start to be asked about how Los Blancos and Lopetegui will fare in 2018-19.