Ronaldo benched for Super Cup Clasico

BARCELONA: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane resisted the temptation to rush Cristiano Ronaldo back into his starting line-up for Sunday's Spanish Super Cup first leg (2000GMT) at Barcelona despite the absence of the suspended Luka Modric.
Mateo Kovacic replaces his Croatian international team-mate in midfield in Madrid's only change from the side that beat Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday.
Barcelona are beginning life without Neymar in what is also coach Ernesto Valverde's first game in charge at the Camp Nou.
Valverde opted for Gerard Deulofeu to take Neymar's role alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez up front. — AFP