Gareth Bale’s Injury Makes Him a Huge Question Mark for El Clásico

Huge doubts remain among Real Madrid medical trainers about Gareth Bale’s injury status before El Clásico. Alex McVey gives you all the latest news on Bale’s injury.

Gareth Bale was subbed off due to an injury concern in Real Madrid’s first leg against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He missed both the subsequent league match against Sporting Gijoón and the second leg against Bayern.

The goal in resting Bale for these important matches was to have him fit and ready to go against Barcelona in El Clásico.

Despite taking these few games off, serious questions remain about whether Bale will be ready to go on Sunday.

Madrid sports daily AS reports that there are conflicting stories emerging surrounding whether Bale’s injury is just a knock, or something more serious which would see him sidelined:

"According to Spanish radio network SER, the club’s doctors have told Bale he has an edema and could risk further injury if he forces the issue to play in the Bernabéu on Sunday. The forward though insists it is just a bit of discomfort and that he is fit to play."

Bale has apparently returned to training in an effort to ensure he’s ready for the Barca match. However, it is disconcerting that there seem to exist public conflicts of interpretation between Bale and the medical staff about the seriousness of his injury.

If Bale really is risking a longer injury by playing against FC Barcelona, he should take his long-term health seriously and try to get fit for the upcoming Madrid Derby in the Champions League semifinal.

Even if Bale is fit, there are serious doubts about whether Zidane should and would start him. As FourFourTwo’s Thore Haugstad reports, Bale’s poor form since returning from his ankle injury combined with the recent performances of Isco and Marco Asensio mean Bale is at risk of being dropped from Zidane’s starting XI.

Isco has been dazzling as of late, and Maro Asensio is showing that he has what it takes to be a key part of Zidane’s plans for the future.

Bale is a big game player, and perhaps his most iconic moment at Real Madrid occurred in El Clásico, in the Copa Del Rey final in his first season with the club.

Blazing past full back Marc Bartra, Bale helped his team win a title that culminated in the double and the Decima. When healthy, there’s no doubt that he can be a major asset in helping deal with the Barca threat.

Isco has also made his mark on Barcelona before, receiving a red card for a kick out on Neymar in the embarrassing 4-0 Madrid loss of 2015. Fortunately, Neymar won’t be on the pitch for Isco to kick on Sunday, due to his suspension for taunting a referee.

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Jokes aside, Isco is just way too good, and in way too good of form, to be sitting on the bench if Bale is only half healthy. Zidane needs to let Bale take the time to recuperate fully from his injuries, and give Isco a start against FC Barcelona.