Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo: 3 possible forward lines with Gareth Bale injured

Real Madrid came into LaLiga’s Matchday 4 with the understanding that they may miss some key players due to recent international fixtures, in addition to the ongoing injuries to midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. While Modric has apparently recovered and the South American players could be available on short rest, Los Blancos now have a familiar injury to deal with up front.

After a positive start to the season, which included an early goal against Levante, right winger Gareth Bale has suffered a last-minute injury before the Santiago Bernabeu return against a threatening Celta Vigo side.

Jose Luis Sanchez reported that Bale is dealing with some serious discomfort in his right hamstring and is thus unavailable. Madridistas can only hope the team’s best starting right forward won’t miss more than this match, as the Champions League is starting soon.

Let’s take a look at three possible forward lines that could be in play with Bale out.

LW Vinicius Junior, CF Karim Benzema, RW Rodrygo Goes

There have been some rumblings that all-important superstar Karim Benzema could be rested against Celta Vigo due to some recent discomfort with the French national team. Madridistas can no longer count on their No. 9 having real breaks during international football, though that is a small price to pay in order to watch Benz with the ball at his feet in the legendary blue kit.

In any case, we rarely see Benzema missing, and a home match at the Bernabeu against Celta is an important one. Therefore, it is likely that he remains in the XI with Rodrygo Goes instead replacing Bale directly.

We know Rodrygo is naturally a left winger, but he is the best option on the right when Bale is out. The only other option would be to start Marco Asensio, who has been seemingly moved to the midfield in a last-ditch effort by Carlo Ancelotti to help coax something out of him.