Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has played down suggestions that Barcelona will not challenge his team for the La Liga title.
After prevailing 5-1 on aggregate in the Supercopa de Espana, Real's odds ahead of the new league campaign have been shortened, but Zidane has insisted that he does not buy into claims that his team will have it all their own way during the upcoming season.
The Frenchman told reporters: "It is not a facade, it will be a long and difficult season. We have not won the league, like last year, we are going to have to fight to the end.
"I'm happy to start this way, to win titles with these players. We have finished a cycle with this Supercopa and now we start another with four titles ahead that will be very complicated. It will not be easy, but we are prepared for the challenge."
While Real are currently preparing to defend their league and Champions League crowns, Barcelona are still reeling from the sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.
New boss Ernesto Valverde is looking to replace the Brazilian will Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele.
Darren Plant
