Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui said the final match in the 2018 International Champions Cup (ICC) stage would be a real war practice. He was sure AS Roma would be the ideal opponent before Real Madrid 'returned home'.

Lopetegui revealed this when speaking in the Red Bull Arena, New Jersey press conference room on Tuesday (7/8/2018) the day before kick-off. AS Roma's assumption will be a threat to Real Madrid in the background of the fact the Serie A club has just crushed Barcelona with a score of 4-2.

"AS Roma have just defeated Barcelona and showed their class. I am sure AS Roma will push us to the limit of capability," Lopetegui said.

However, he guarantees, Real Madrid will not allow AS Roma to dictate them. "We will both do the best thing to win," Lopetegui was quoted as saying by the official Real Madrid website.

Lopetegui also said, the match against AS Roma would be very important for Real Madrid before going down in the real competition. "I saw the match against AS Roma as a process of making the team grow fully," he said.

However, Lopetegui said, he would not overrate the victory in this match. Because, in the preseason event like this, the final result might not be the main one.

"The most important thing is how my players develop physically and are able to apply our ideas (coach, ed)," the former Spain national team coach continued.

Real Madrid will likely reduce the composition of players who are not much different from the scheme against Juventus three days ago. Names such as Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos will be installed as starters.

For Madrid, the match against Roma will be a preparation ahead of Atletico Madrid's clash in the UEFA Super Cup. The match will take place in the middle of this month.