Pedro Martinez is not interested in easing into the season. With the European Super Cup tipping off at Etihad Arena on 18 September, the new Real Madrid basketball coach has set a clear target: this tournament is the first real test for his squad, and he expects them to be ready from the start.
"This is the most important competition we have right now," Martinez said, making it clear he wants full focus on the Super Cup. "When it ends, we move to the next. But at this moment, nothing matters more."
Real Madrid's first game is a high-pressure matchup against Dubai, a team that has spent heavily on new players and brought in an experienced coach. Martinez knows it will be a tough start. "Dubai have signed top players and have a great coach. It will be a very tough first match, but we are excited to compete against a team that has strengthened so well this year."
For Martinez, building a clear identity for Real Madrid matters as much as results. "What we want as a staff is to have an identity. That's crucial. The players must believe in what we train, and our fans should recognise our style. Whether we win or lose, the team must play with a distinct character."
He doesn't want to copy past teams. "We won't play like Valencia did last year. The difference is always the players-their talent, quality, and characteristics. We want to be a little different from other teams. The players understand the idea, and I hope our style is clear from the first minute."
Martinez credits Juan Carlos Sanchez for bringing him to Madrid, saying the director's belief in him was key. "His conviction and attention made me feel I was the right coach for Real Madrid. I am very comfortable with the club's structure. In other clubs, I had more responsibility for player selection. Here, my opinion is valued, but others handle the market and player profiles."
Since arriving, Martinez has been struck by the club's professionalism and daily standards. "The staff are amazing, the facilities are incredible, and the professionalism is at the highest level. The challenge is huge, and I have to give my best every day because that's what the club expects."
He's also been impressed by his players' mentality. "I already knew the players were talented and physically strong. What has surprised me positively is their mindset. Today I told them: 'Preparation is over, now we enter official competition, and our training and match dynamics will change.' Their attitude was excellent. They want to succeed."
Martinez admits he would have liked more time to prepare. "I am impatient. We've had the time we've had. Physically we are fine, though we had some minor injuries. Everyone is healthy and improving, but we need time. The positive is that our rivals have not trained more than us, so the competition will be balanced."
He expects the Super Cup to be a real test, comparing it to a Final Four in terms of quality. "It's a very strong competition because there are great teams. It's already like a Final Four, even though other big teams are favourites to reach the real Final Four. This is the highest level and the biggest challenge from the first moment. It will be a good show."
Real Madrid's build-up to Abu Dhabi included a recent match against Unicaja Malaga in the Costa del Sol final, which served as their last pre-season test, as reported earlier. According to MARCA, this Costa del Sol Tournament was the final pre-season test for Martinez's squad before their official debut in Abu Dhabi.
Martinez wants every player to feel important and share responsibility for shooting, scoring, passing, and defending. "We have enough talent, and I hope that becomes an unpredictable element for our opponents. I want us to build a collective style where everyone feels vital."
With the Super Cup now the main focus, Martinez's approach sets the tone for Real Madrid's season. The club's expectations are high, and his emphasis on identity and teamwork is a challenge to both his players and their rivals. If Real Madrid can put this philosophy into practice, the Abu Dhabi tournament could be the start of a new chapter for the club, defined by both results and a clear style on the court.
The 2026/27 season opener between Real Madrid and Dubai Basketball in the EuroLeague Super Cup semifinal will tip off at 19:00 local time at Etihad Arena, with live broadcast scheduled on Movistar Plus+.
Real Madrid's first game is a high-pressure matchup against Dubai, a team that has spent heavily on new players and brought in an experienced coach. Martinez knows it will be a tough start. "Dubai have signed top players and have a great coach. It will be a very tough first match, but we are excited to compete against a team that has strengthened so well this year."
For Martinez, building a clear identity for Real Madrid matters as much as results. "What we want as a staff is to have an identity. That's crucial. The players must believe in what we train, and our fans should recognise our style. Whether we win or lose, the team must play with a distinct character."
He doesn't want to copy past teams. "We won't play like Valencia did last year. The difference is always the players-their talent, quality, and characteristics. We want to be a little different from other teams. The players understand the idea, and I hope our style is clear from the first minute."
According to The National News and official club sources, the 2026 EuroLeague Super Cup in Abu Dhabi marks the inaugural edition of the tournament, featuring four teams: Olympiacos Piraeus, Fenerbahce, Real Madrid, and Dubai Basketball. Both semifinal matchups-Olympiacos vs Fenerbahce and Dubai Basketball vs Real Madrid-will be played at Etihad Arena on Yas Island over two days, 18-19 September 2026.
Martinez credits Juan Carlos Sanchez for bringing him to Madrid, saying the director's belief in him was key. "His conviction and attention made me feel I was the right coach for Real Madrid. I am very comfortable with the club's structure. In other clubs, I had more responsibility for player selection. Here, my opinion is valued, but others handle the market and player profiles."
Since arriving, Martinez has been struck by the club's professionalism and daily standards. "The staff are amazing, the facilities are incredible, and the professionalism is at the highest level. The challenge is huge, and I have to give my best every day because that's what the club expects."
He's also been impressed by his players' mentality. "I already knew the players were talented and physically strong. What has surprised me positively is their mindset. Today I told them: 'Preparation is over, now we enter official competition, and our training and match dynamics will change.' Their attitude was excellent. They want to succeed."
Martinez admits he would have liked more time to prepare. "I am impatient. We've had the time we've had. Physically we are fine, though we had some minor injuries. Everyone is healthy and improving, but we need time. The positive is that our rivals have not trained more than us, so the competition will be balanced."
He expects the Super Cup to be a real test, comparing it to a Final Four in terms of quality. "It's a very strong competition because there are great teams. It's already like a Final Four, even though other big teams are favourites to reach the real Final Four. This is the highest level and the biggest challenge from the first moment. It will be a good show."
Real Madrid's build-up to Abu Dhabi included a recent match against Unicaja Malaga in the Costa del Sol final, which served as their last pre-season test, as reported earlier. According to MARCA, this Costa del Sol Tournament was the final pre-season test for Martinez's squad before their official debut in Abu Dhabi.
Martinez wants every player to feel important and share responsibility for shooting, scoring, passing, and defending. "We have enough talent, and I hope that becomes an unpredictable element for our opponents. I want us to build a collective style where everyone feels vital."
With the Super Cup now the main focus, Martinez's approach sets the tone for Real Madrid's season. The club's expectations are high, and his emphasis on identity and teamwork is a challenge to both his players and their rivals. If Real Madrid can put this philosophy into practice, the Abu Dhabi tournament could be the start of a new chapter for the club, defined by both results and a clear style on the court.
