Real Madrid Injury Update: Post-Champions League Quarterfinal First Leg

Real Madrid are facing an ever-expanding injury list following the first leg of their tie against Bayern Munich. Alex McVey looks at how these injuries.

Real Madrid are having a tough season with injuries this year. Just when it looked like Madrid was starting to shake their injury issues following the international break, a number of Madrid stars have gone down with injuries in recent weeks. If Madrid weren’t in an injury crisis before the Bayern match, it’s safe to say they are in one now.

Raphael Varane was injured against Alavés, and is likely to be out until the end of the month. Pepe collided with Toni Kroos in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid, breaking two of his ribs and leaving him sidelined likely for the rest of the season.

So, Madrid was already going into their match against Bayern with no center-backs on the bench.

Madrid’s injury woes appear to have deepened following the Bayern match. Gareth Bale was subbed off in the 59^th minute against Bayern Munich after feeling some discomfort in his hamstring.

It’s obvious to anyone who has watched Bale since coming back from injury that he’s not yet fully fit. This latest issue will only add to Bale’s woes. This is especially worrying for Madrid, as Goal.com reports that this hamstring issue is casting a doubt over Bale’s inclusion in El Clásico.

Bale isn’t the only member of the BBC with injury worries. Cristiano Ronaldo also pulled up with a slight muscle issue near the end of the Bayern match. Ronaldo is no stranger to playing through injury, having done so in the Champions League and World Cup of 2014.

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Fortunately, Madrid square off against 18^th placed Sporting de Gijón in La Liga this weekend.

With the second leg of the Bayern tie preceding the following weekend’s El Clásico matchup against Barcelona, expect Zidane to rest both CR7 and Gareth Bale in the hopes of having a full attacking lineup available to face off against Bayern and Barca.

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With the likes of Isco, James, Morata, and Asensio all waiting in the wings, Madrid can easily give some well-needed rest to their injured attackers.