MADRID, Spain, July 27 – Real Madrid are stronger and more mature than last season, when they failed for a third year to win the league title, German playmaker Mesut Ozil said on Tuesday.
After a US tour in which they went undefeated against Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas and Philadelphia Union, the squad resumed training in Madrid before they face Hertha Berlin in a friendly in the German capital on Wednesday.
“Real Madrid are stronger and more mature than last year,” Ozil told a news conference. “We have the potential to beat any rival and our aim this season is to win many titles.”
Real Madrid finished last season second behind league winners and arch-rivals Barcelona for the third successive year, star coach Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge.
The club’s only silverware was a first King’s Cup triumph in 18 years.
Ozil declined to discuss the next Spanish Super Cup, on August 14 and 17, against Barcelona.
“I don’t want to discuss this subject. We are focused on our preparation phase and our only concern just now is that all the injured players have recovered by August 14,” the 22-year-old German World Cup star said.
Sami Khedira, Nuri Sahin and Sergio Ramos all finished the US tour on the injured list.
