Modric set to sit out first leg of Spanish Super Cup

The Croatian midfielder was sent off in Real's last appearance in the Spanish Super Cup and will therefore miss this year's edition through suspension

Modric is not one of the usual suspects when it comes to collecting cards. Nevertheless, in Real's last outing in the competition in 2014, the former Tottenham man saw red as Real slipped to defeat aginst City rivals Atletico in the second leg at the Vicente Calderon.

Real lost that Super Cup and lost something much more precious at the same time: Modric's availability this time round. As this is Real's first outing in the Super Cup since Modric's red, this is the game he misses, despite it being three years since his indiscretion.

A such the 30-year-old will be forced to watch the game at home like the rest of us.

Modric's unavailability comes at the worst possible time for Zinedine Zidane's side, ahead of a highly-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Barcelona.

It does however, open the door for Zidane to share out some game time ahead of the new season. The Frenchman could go with the obvious option and include Cristiano Ronaldo from the off this time or he could go for a deeper option such as Mateo Kovacic, Marco Asensio or new boy Dani Ceballos and maintain the same shape that inspired Real to victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup.