Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale looks set to miss the Champions League semi-final against city rivals Atletico after tests revealed he has a tear to his left calf.
The 27-year-old Wales international lasted just 35 minutes of Sunday’s El Clasico defeat to Barcelona before limping off the Bernabeu pitch.
A short statement from Madrid confirmed the extent of Bale’s injury, saying: “Following the tests carried out on Gareth Bale by the Sanitas Medical Services, the player has been diagnosed with a grade 2 injury in his left calf.
“His recovery will continue to be assessed.”
Reports in Spain say Bale is now facing three weeks on the sidelines, which would rule him out of both legs of the Champions League tie — on May 2 and 10 — as well as LaLiga fixtures against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia and Granada.
It is the latest blow in what has been a frustrating campaign for the former Tottenham man, who has been struck down by several injuries, including a three-month lay-off earlier this season with an ankle problem.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, meanwhile, has defended himself against criticism that Bale was rushed back into the starting line-up too soon, having only recently returned to training following another muscle injury.
The Frenchman told a press conference to preview Wednesday’s league clash with Deportivo: “He was 100 per cent fit, he told me. Before the match everything was fine and he was training normally.
“These things cannot be avoided. He wants to play and when you have a very long injury lay-off it is difficult, I know from experience. The recovery time is not the same.
“There are other annoying niggles and this is what is happening to him now. It is minor and we expect him to come back swiftly.”
