Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has revealed that Gareth Bale has sustained a calf spasm in Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.
Real Madrid got off to a flying start in their new UEFA Champions League campaign as they routed Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick.
However, the win came at the cost of injuries to Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and Rafael Varane.
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Benitez reveals Bale, Ramos, Varane injury not major
The news that the injury to the trio are not serious will be well received by Real Madrid who have already lost James Rodriguez to an injury during the international break.
Giving the update on the injuries, Benitez was quoted by Goal.com as saying, a It was a spasm in the calf, we will wait a day or two.
a I’m more optimistic about [Sergio] Ramos and [Raphael] Varane, who only suffered knocks. But we must also wait. Bale’s problem is similar to an injury he had last year.”
Kovacic not a Bale replacement
Bale was replaced by new signing Matteo Kovacic who had joined Real Madrid from Inter Milan. Playing down suggestions that Kovacic will be coming in to replace Bale in the squad in the near future, Benitez said: “[Kovacic] slotted in there because the full-backs were getting forward a lot and he plays inside and he was able to give us control of the ball and space.
“If Bale doesn’t start, it’s open to anyone. Today [Kovacic] played due to the characteristics of the opponents but in future, Jese, Cheryshev or Lucas Vazquez could play.
“It was a difficult game. They’re a well organised team, have possession and that makes defending complicated. They are skilled and fast players,” he added. “It wasn’t easy, despite that, we had chances. Without being brilliant we had chances. I am pleased to have taken advantage and not conceded. The only negative is injuries.
“I’m not worried because we’ve had very few injuries.
“What surprises me is you keep going on about what people say and not what happens on the pitch. There is no debate, Cristiano is the best in the world. I have him high esteem”