If Real Madrid want to win the first Clasico of this season, they will have to do it without their famous attacking trio. Medical reports have stated that Welshman Gareth Bale will not be able to take on the first meeting between Los Blancos and Los Blaugranas.
After Saturday's win against Levante, coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed Bale was having some "gluteal problems", and it was decided for him to take a rest in the eve of a very big week for Real Madrid. Today, medical reports stated the Welsh superstar will have to sit out for at least a couple of weeks, leaving him out of this week's two matches, against Liverpool for the UEFA Champions League, and the all important Clasico.
"After a set of tests performed on Gareth Bale at Real Madrid's clinical facility, the player presents an injury to the pyramidalis muscle, which will force him to rest for at least ten days, pending his evolution," the press release stated.
Bale was key to Real Madrid's victory against Barcelona in last year's Copa del Rey final, scoring the game winning goal after outrunning Marc Bartra in the dying minutes of the game. That victory against Los Culés is the only one Carlo Ancelotti has achieved against their top rivals in Spanish competitions.
