GARETH BALE is injured again after playing just 29 minutes of action in Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Eibar.
Spanish outlet AS claim the Welshman missed training on Monday with a slight muscle discomfort following his short cameo at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano the day before.
Gareth Bale missed training after his late cameo in Real Madrid’s win over Eibar on SundayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The 30-year-old, who was recently hailed by a Madrid doctor as a better athlete than Cristiano Ronaldo, struggled on his return to the pitch.
After replacing Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr on the hour-mark, Bale cut an isolated figure, making just two successful passes in Eibar’s half.
He was also dispossessed five times and failed to even have a shot on goal in what was his s 250th game in the famous Los Blancos shirt.
Bale has since been forced to sit out a session with the rest of Real’s squad on Monday to avoid muscle overload.
The former Tottenham star had endured a stop-start campaign prior to coronavirus lockdown as he suffered FOUR fitness issues by January.
Bale had already missed 13 games for the LaLiga giants as a result of hamstring, calf and ankle problems as well as a chest infection earlier this year.
Fortunately his latest setback is thought to be minor, with the winger expected to be available for Madrid’s home game against Valencia on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane has claimed that Eden Hazard is fine after suffering his own injury “scare” during the win over Eibar on Sunday.
The former Chelsea star had only featured twice since November, when he was injured by international team-mate Thomas Meunier.
The 29-year-old has admitted struggles with his diet and fitness – but has managed to get into top shape during the break in the season.
On his return to the starting XI, Hazard assisted captain Sergio Ramos to make it 2-0 while it was the Belgian’s shot that was eventually cleared only as far as Marcelo, who put his team 3-0 up.
And Zidane said: “He played for an hour, and played well, and he took a hit, which will do him good.
“He’s had a knock, a scare, but that’s football. He was fine at half-time, he was happy and he’s not afraid.
“He is happy with what he’s done and we’re happy with his work and that of the whole team.
“We have players up top who can always make the difference.
“I think when Hazard laid it to Sergio, he could have scored himself too, but he’s altruistic, so he gave it to Sergio. It’s unselfish and I love to see things like that.”
Gareth Bale shows off his keepie uppie skills as he stays at home for lockdown
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
