Real the team to beat, Barca in turmoil

MADRID: Real Madrid have outclassed Manchester United and Barcelonato collect two trophies before the season has begun, and Z in edi ne Z id an e’ s side show little sign of relenting as they begin their title defence at De port ivo La Coruna on Sunday.

Meanwhile, last year’s runners up Barcelona have been further shaken ahead of their opening game against Real Bet is on Sunday by a knee injury to Luis Suarez that has ruled the Uruguayan striker out for four weeks. This pi les more misery on the Catalans, who are still reeling from the departure of Neymar.

The two biggest sides in Spain are in contra sting frames of mind heading into the opening weekend, and not even Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension from the first four Liga games for pushing a referee has dampened Real’s supreme confidence.

Instead, the Spanish and European champions appear less re liant on their Portuguese talisman heading into this season.

Ronaldo played only 24 of 180 minutes of Real’s resounding 5-1 aggregate win over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. He was a late substitute in the European Super Cup triumph over United, yet Real produced a completed isplay character is ed by their sturdy control in midfield and dominance of possession.

Their squad depth was underlined by the fact coach Zinedine Zidane was able to also leave out Gareth Bale and Isco in the second leg. Meanwhile, he watched Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez lead a three-pronged attack with Karim Benzema, with Toni Kroos and Croatian duo Luka Mod ric and Mate oK ova ci c giving their shaken Bar ca counterparts a lesson in passing.