Zinedine Zidane’s first competitive game in charge of the new season will not sem like a straightforward affair after he read’s the latest team sheet. The Euros seem to have taken their toll on the squad's strength and the club are facing an injury crisis.
Madrid start the season with a game against Sevilla in the UEFA super cup final on the 9th of August. It is the annual fixture played between the winners of the Champions League and the winners of the Europa League.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s news is one that is not very new. The Portuguese had to sit out the majority of the final of the Euros after being stretchered off with a knee injury. The 3-time Ballon d’ Or winner is currently recovering from the injury while on vacation.
He is expected to be back on the 10th of August. His compatriot Pepe who is also on vacation is expected to arrive on the same day as Ronaldo, which means they will be without one of their first-choice centre-backs.
Gareth Bale whose valiant performances in the Euros helped Wales reach a historic semi-final is also on an extended break. He is expected earlier than Ronaldo and Pepe, on the 6th of August.
Toni Kroos, whose German team was knocked out by France in the semi-finals will also return on the same date as Bale. But with the Super cup to be played on the 9th of August, it will be almost impossible for the two stars to get into shape before the game.
Madrid’s hero in goal, Keylor Navas is the next notable absentee for the season opener. The stopper is still recovering from his heel surgery, that he underwent recently. To top it all of, their star striker Karim Benzema might be missing the game as well.
The Frenchman was famously left out of the squad for the Euros, but he is also recuperating from a hip problem. Benzema missed both pre-season friendlies Los Blancos have played so far, against PSG and Chelsea.
So who will Zidane have at his disposal?
Marcelo was acting captain for Madrid in the pre-season friendlies and will most likely reprise that role for their UEFA super cup final. Unlike Kroos and Bale, the likes of Lucas Vasquez, Alvaro Morata and Mateo Kovacic have taken a shortened break and rejoined training early.
So Zidane will have a few first team members for the match but he will be without up to 6 stars who are the most experienced of the team as well.
