Five Real fringe players that could shine in absence of key Galacticos for Super Cup

The Spaniard, also 29, was limited to just seven appearances last season, including only four domestic league showings, and he is 27/10 with Coral to help Madrid prevail to nil inside 90 minutes.

Nacho

Spain international defender Nacho did manage to gain 23 season outings for Real last term, but was left out of the squad for much of the club’s rampant run to the victorious Champions League final in Milan.

The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in that game and was deployed as a back-up player across Los Blancos’ rearguard for most the domestic term, featuring mainly at centre back.

In this Super Cup encounter with the Bathtubs, Nacho will get another chance to showcase his defensive attributes to Zidane, with key man at the back Pepe still enjoying an extended break after helping Portugal win Euro 2016.

James Rodriguez

Colombia playmaker Rodriguez was also disappointed not to feature during the European final victory over Atleti last term and reports suggested that he may seek an exit from the Bernabeu, having endured an indifferent spell since arriving for €80m in 2014.

The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner dispatched 12 goals last term in 42 total outings and is likely to star against Sevilla this Tuesday night, when he is 21/10 to get on the scoresheet anytime within 90 minutes.

Rodriguez was previously linked with the likes of Manchester United but looks set to remain with his current employers, and the South American attacker has a glorious chance to shine in front of Zidane on Norwegian soil.

The 25-year-old has two career goals and an assist against the Bathtubs and he will look to add to those tallies with an eye-catching performance in midweek, after helping his nation finish third at the 2016 Copa America.

Mateo Kovacic

At the Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheimon, former Inter Milan midfielder Kovacic is another who will be aiming to make a strong impression on his manager, having so far been a bit-part player under the Frenchman.

Zidane has favoured the 22-year-old’s fellow Croatia international Luka Modric in the central areas, along with German pass-master Kroos, but he can strut his stuff in this Super Cup match-up with the latter World Cup winner being absent.

Kovacic featured twice at Euro 2016 for his country and netted just once across 34 Real outings last season, following his €29m arrival from the San Siro in August last year.

The young midfielder has more than enough quality to shine for Madrid throughout the upcoming campaign and is 9/2 to boost his starting chances for the term by netting past Sevilla.

Karim Benzema

French frontman Benzema was included in the Super Cup squad after battling a hip problem, while the only summer signing so far Alvaro Morata is included, as well as talented wideman Lucas Vazquez.

Mariano Diaz is the the only other forward within Zidane’s side to face Sevilla, but it’s Morata that is likely to become Zidane’s key man up front this term after returning to the club from Juventus for €30m.

Benzema had the summer off after being dismissed from the France set-up and faces a battle with Morata for a starting spot at the Bernabeu. Following a summer watching Euro 2016 from home, the Frenchman is 7/2 to bag the game’s last goal in Norway, ahead of his eighth term in Madrid.

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