Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s crucial Champions League clash against AS Roma, manager Zinedine Zidane revealed that Gareth Bale was fit to start the second leg of the round of 16 tie. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have also been named in the 19-man squad after the duo returned to training following a brief spell on the sidelines.
Zinedine Zidane welcomed the return of left-back Marcelo and attacker Gareth Bale against Celta de Vigo on Saturday, and the two are expected to start at the Santiago Bernabeu against Roma. As reported by the official club website, the Frenchman confirmed that Bale was ‘ready to play’ after being sidelined due to a calf injury.
“He’s prepared and ready to play,” said the Frenchman. “That the most important thing
“It will be difficult to pick the team tomorrow but its better having all your players available.”
Kroos and Modric return to training, Benzema remains sidelined
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have also returned to the squad, though it remains to be seen if they will be given a start on Tuesday. While the Croatian suffered an ankle injury, Kroos was down with the flu, causing the German to miss the clash against Celta Vigo over the weekend. Casemiro and Mateo Kovacic replaced the duo on Saturday and could retain their position in the Real Madrid lineup should Kroos and Modric be declared unfit to start the match.
Meanwhile, Karim Benzema remains sidelined and it will be interesting to see if the manager continues to show faith in teenager Borja Mayoral by giving him his first Champions League start. Jese Rodriguez could replace him in the starting lineup should the Real Madrid academy graduate be left on the bench against AS Roma.