Real Madrid dealt second injury blow with Gareth Bale ruled out for 2 to 3 weeks
Real Madrid have been dealt another injury blow ahead of their crucial Champions League quarter-final return leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Forward Gareth Bale will be sidelined for two to three weeks after being diagnosed with a muscle injury … Continue reading →

Real Madrid have been dealt another injury blow ahead of their crucial Champions League quarter-final return leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Forward Gareth Bale will be sidelined for two to three weeks after being diagnosed with a muscle injury to his left soleus (calf).

Bale injured his left calf during the opening minutes of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Malaga and was removed from the game after only five minutes.

The news of Bale’s diagnosis comes on the heels of midfielder Luka Modric being ruled out for six weeks after the Croatian suffered knee ligament damage during the later stages of the same match on Saturday.

Modric will more than likely miss the remainder of the league campaign, but might have an outside chance of being fit for the Champions League final on May 30 – should Madrid progress that far in the competition.

Aside from the loss of Bale and Modric to the lineup, manager Carlo Ancelotti is also sweating the fitness of striker Karim Benzema.

Following this weekend’s match against Malaga, Ancelotti informed the press that Benzema would be fit for the decisive Champions League game with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday after choosing to rest the Frenchman on Saturday. However, it now appears the striker’s injury is worse than first thought.

Benzema did not participate in training yesterday and informed the coaching staff he was feeling extreme discomfort in his right knee.

At best, Benzema would be a game time decision to play against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.