Cristiano Ronaldo in line for first Real Madrid start of the season against Barcelona
Barca have lost Neymar, but Real boss Zinedine Zidane says: 'Barcelona is still Barcelona. They are no weaker than the sides I used to face'
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CRISTIANO RONALDO is ready to face Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup on Sunday.
The season's opener sees Spanish champions Real Madrid face the Copa del Rey holders.
And the mercurial Ronaldo, used only as a substitute in the midweek Uefa Super Cup victory over his old club Manchester United, is expected to be on parade.
But Real will be without midfield ace Luka Modric, who will be missing due to suspension.
Head coach Zinedine Zidane wouldn't elaborate on his team selection, and instead concentrated on Real's opponents.
The French coach also spoke about Neymar's departure from Barcelona, saying that Messi and Co. will still be a force to be reckoned with.
"They have made changes but Barcelona is still Barcelona," he said.
"They are no weaker than the sides I used to face. We know about their playing style. If we go into it thinking it will be easy then we are sadly mistaken.
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"We're playing two games: One in Barcelona and the other in Madrid. That is how it goes and in my opinion I would have proffered to play just once."
Real beat United 2-1 to land their first silverware of the new campaign.
But they faded in the second half as the Red Devils fought their way back into the match.
Barca are in transition after losing Enrique and Neymar, and the pressure will be turned up on new boss Ernesto Valverde.
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