REAL MADRID WILL be without five star names for their UEFA Super Cup clash against Sevilla tomorrow (7.45pm)
Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos, Keylor Navas and Pepe were all first-team regulars last season who were not named in the club’s 20-man squad for the match in the Norwegian city of Trondheim.
Ronaldo’s absence as he rests a knee injury picked up at Euro 2016 was known, while Bale, Kroos and Pepe – who were given extended holiday following the tournament – have not recovered enough fitness to play.
Goalkeeper Navas, meanwhile, underwent surgery on an Achilles problem in June and is hoping to be fit for the start of the new La Liga season, with Kiko Casilla set to deputise.
That has led manager Zinedine Zidane to call up his son Luca as back-up goalkeeper.
The 18-year-old has yet to make an appearance for the first team, although Zizou’s other son, 21-year-old midfielder Enzo, was handed his debut in a recent friendly against PSG having featured for their reserve side Castilla last season.
Karim Benzema has been included after battling a hip problem, with the club’s only signing – Alvaro Morata – also available.
Casilla is set to start between the sticks and says it would signify the culmination of a childhood dream.
He watched from the substitutes’ bench as Madrid won the Champions League final against city rivals Atletico in May and is delighted to be given the chance to start in a European showpiece event. “Playing in the European Super Cup is a dream,” the former Espanyol keeper said.
“I’m lucky to have come through the academy at Real Madrid and I remember that when I got here at 14 years of age and stopped next to the Bernabeu, I said that I hoped to one day play here.
“I have been lucky to be able to do that and now I have got the opportunity to play an important European game, a final. It’s been a dream since I was young.”
“Starting with a win in the European Super Cup gives you a boost and increases optimism – that will be useful during the season. Everything that Real Madrid play for we must try to win.”
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