Pepe Mel: Madrid best team in the world

Deportivo La Coruna boss Pepe Mel have admitted La Liga reigning champions Real Madrid are "the best team in the world " ahead of opening day fixtures.

Madrid travel to Galicia to play Mel’s Depor as they begin their title defence.

“They have demonstrated that if you want to win a league, you have to start the season on a firm footing,” Mel is quoted as saying by Diario AS.

“Madrid select whoever, and it doesn’t make them any worse. That is why they won the league, and we suffered here… we know that we are facing up against the best team in the world.

“It was a possibility and we have to be well prepared. We hope the scenario is completely different to last season’s (2-6 home loss) result.

“Madrid are a very important team, with a lot of variety and options to play in different ways.”