EXCLUSIVE: BALE RULED OUT OF BAYERN CLASH

The Welshman has not recovered from a calf injury in
time for Tuesday and may be a doubt to face
Barcelona on Sunday

Real Madrid will be without Gareth Bale for Tuesday's
Champions league quarter-final second leg against
Bayern Munich, head coach Zinedine Zidane has
confirmed.
Bale was substituted during the second half of last
week's 2-1 victory over the Bundesliga champions at
the Allianz Arena and sat out the 3-2 win at Sporting
Gijon in LaLiga on Saturday.
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The Wales forward was sidelined for three months due
to ankle tendon surgery this season and was also laid
low by calf issues last term.
As such, Zidane is not willing to take any
unnecessary risks with the 27-year-old.
"Gareth has been working hard to get back and to
play with the side and, after his three months out
from injury, he's come back and was very excited
about playing again," the Frenchman told a pre-match
news conference.
"But he's got a little problem that has come up again.
We hope it's nothing.
"In a few more days he should be back with us.
Tomorrow [Tuesday] he will not be ready. We don't
want to risk anything with him but he should be ready
in a few days.
"He's keen to get back as quick as possible and be
with us, so we'll see from now until the end of the
season."
Madrid have entered a pivotal week in their season,
hosting bitter rivals Barcelona - who they hold a
three-point advantage over and have played one game
fewer than - in what could prove to be La Liga's title
decider on Sunday.
"I don't know, I hope so," Zidane said when asked
whether Bale would be back for El Clasico.
"I hope he can be with us. I can't assure you of
anything, I can't tell you anything."
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Isco produced a virtuoso display in Gijon, his last-
minute winner the second of two brilliant goals.
The formidable pair of Messi & Dybala
It was an impressive audition to take Bale's place
from a player who has been restricted to just 77
minutes of Champions League football by Zidane's
squad rotation system this season.
Nevertheless, the Madrid boss was determined to give
very little away.
"It could be Isco, it could be any of them. They're all
ready to play and that's the most important thing for
me," he said.
"I've decided but the problem is I can't tell you. You
said it in your question, everyone is playing well.
"I have to make a choice and I'm happy that they are
all playing to a very high level to make it difficult for
me."
On Isco's sparing use in the Champions League, Zidane
added: "There's no explanation. With squad rotation,
with playing with other players, these are things that
happen
"It's just a coincidence. When you look at the
statistics, it's true. It must be tough for him to have
only played 77 minutes in the Champions league but
we've got a lot of important games and we'll see
what's going to happen tomorrow."
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While Zidane must do without one of his star
attackers, Bayern are set to benefit from the return
of Robert Lewandowski after their top scorer sat out
the first leg with a shoulder complaint.
"You know how good he is. He's an authentic number
nine and a great player for Bayern," Zidane said.
"I'm not worried. I know the side they have and know
they're good all over the pitch. We have to be ready,
focused and work on what we have to do."

All credits: goal.com