Gareth Bale is set to miss Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Moscow as they look to take control of Group G. The Welshman is a key absence for Julen Lopetegui’s side, who have scored just once in their last three games and were held by rivals Atletico last time out.
Why is Gareth Bale not playing for Real Madrid against CSKA Moscow?
Last Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Gareth Bale was taken off at half-time during their local derby against Atletico. The explosive winger appeared to be nursing a muscle injury in his leg, in scenes that will concern Madridistas and Wales fans alike.
Bale didn’t appear on the pitch at the beginning of the second half as he was replaced by midfielder Dani Ceballos.
When can we expect to see him back?
According to his manager, Julen Lopetegui, Gareth Bale’s injury is not serious. He won’t feature in tonight’s game against CSKA Moscow but should be back in training when the squad reconvenes on Thursday.
That means he is likely to play a full part in Real Madrid’s game at Alaves on Saturday, as well as Wales’ international fixtures against Spain and the Republic of Ireland. Real Madrid stars show off incredible keepy-ups skills with training game.
Bale, who has scored four goals this season, went off at half-time in Real’s goalless La Liga draw against city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Captain Sergio Ramos, fellow defender Marcelo and midfielder Isco were also absent from the squad.
Real have won the competition for the past three years and beat Roma 3-0 in their opening Group G game. Real are second in La Liga but have not won either of their past two matches. Ramos has played all of Real’s seven league matches this season and coach Julen Lopetegui said the Spanish centre-back had been rested for the trip to Moscow.
“Sergio Ramos didn’t come because he’s played more than any other player in the league and he has to keep some energy in reserve for the rest of the season,” Lopetegui said.
“That’s all it is, simply management,” he added. “He’s not here in Moscow because I made the decision.”
Gareth Bale’s agent suspended by FA after trying to sign underage player. A football agent has been suspended from all activity for three months and fined £50,000 by the FA after trying to sign an underage player.
David Manasseh is the managing director of Stellar – the agency that represents Gareth Bale, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw and Jordan Pickford.It was alleged Manasseh entered into a contract with the player before the year of his 16th birthday. He denied the charge but it was found proven following a hearing.
This will be just the third meeting between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid in the Champions League after they met in the last 16 of the 2011-12 tournament. Real progressed 5-2 on aggregate despite a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Moscow.
Current Champions League holders Real Madrid have not lost any of their past six encounters with Russian opposition in the competition (W4 D2), last losing to Lokomotiv Moscow in October 2001.
CSKA Moscow have lost just one of their seven previous matches against Spanish teams in all European competitions (W3 D3), however that did come in their last such match and was against Real Madrid, a 4-1 defeat in March 2012.
CSKA Moscow, who won their last Champions League home game 2-0 against Benfica, have not won back-to-back matches on home soil in the competition since October 2006.