Real Madrid’s Welsh forward Gareth Bale. (AFP)
AFP/Madrid
Gareth Bale could miss Real Madrid’s La Liga clash away to Rayo Vallecano today due to a foot injury. “We have had problems with Bale, who has a knock on his left foot which we will evaluate,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference yesterday.
The Welshman scored the opener in Real’s 9-1 demolition of Granada on Sunday, but Ancelotti won’t be short of options should Bale miss out with all four of Isco, James Rodriguez, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos available for the first time in five months.
Rodriguez made his return after two months out with a foot injury in the place of the suspended Isco at the weekend, but Ancelotti claimed they wouldn’t be vying for just the one place in the side and that his preferred front three of Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo could be rotated in the coming weeks.
“We have a game every three days until the beginning of May and the rotations will be necessary,” he added. “There isn’t a debate between James and Isco, it is between the whole squad which is a good thing. We have almost the whole squad in optimal condition.
“James is doing very well in his first year, but Isco is also a great player who has had some fantastic games. I am lucky to have them both. It is a good problem to have.”
Pepe remains the only injury absentee as Madrid continue their pursuit of La Liga leaders Barcelona. The European champions could be as much as seven points off the top by the time they kick-off at Vallecas, though, with the Catalans in action at home to Almeria earlier.
Xavi still has important role to play, barca coach
Barca boss Luis Enrique has insisted that veteran midfielder Xavi Hernandez will have a significant contribution to make towards Barca’s push to win the treble in the final few months of the season.
The 35-year-old has made just five starts in 21 games since the turn of the year and travelled to Qatar last month to discuss a potential move to Al Sadd for next season.
However, Barca’s most decorated player of all time made a telling contribution as a substitute with the assist for Jeremy Mathieu’s winning goal in a 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo on Sunday. “Xavi is an important player for us in any month of the year,” Enrique said on Tuesday ahead of his side’s La Liga clash against Almeria.
“He is the player that has played most games in a Barca shirt and will decide (his future). He knew it would be a special year for him and he has accepted it. He helps us both on and off the field.”
Barcelona lead La Liga by four points, will face Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey in May and meet Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next week.
Enrique not worried about Neymar’s goal drought
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is not concerned by Neymar’s recent goal drought and is confident the Brazil forward will soon return to top form as Barca continue their bid to repeat 2009’s historic treble.
After an impressive first half of the season, Neymar has gone off the boil since the turn of the year and has not scored for the leaders in La Liga since hitting the opener in a 5-0 win at home to Levante on Feb. 15.
The 23-year-old looked particularly out of sorts in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Celta Vigo and spent much of the game locked in an unseemly battle with Celta fullback Hugo Mallo. “I am not worried at all,” Enrique said. “We are talking about an outstanding player, a top player,” added the former Barca and Spain midfielder, who is enjoying a successful first term in charge at the Nou Camp.
“And from what I see in training I am sure his scoring streak will soon return and he will be back on top form. Now he is helping us in a less spectacular way, less visible for you, but he gives the team a lot of things that I consider important.”
