Bale cleared for Malaga duel
Print Edition
Gareth Bale is fit and ready to play for Real Madrid as the club looks to improve on its recent lackluster showings for an eight-day stretch coach Carlo Ancelotti calls “very important,” with games against Malaga, Juventus and fierce rival Barcelona.
Ancelotti said yesterday that “Bale is available” for today’s Spanish league game against Malaga with critical games against Juventus in the Champions League and the season’s first clasico at Barcelona coming next weekend.
Ancelotti insisted Bale’s disc bulge in his back is not the reason he has missed games this season, instead blaming his lack of preseason training that led to his left hamstring pull.
“(Bale) doesn’t have a problem” with his back, Ancelotti said. “His problem it that he didn’t have a preseason and he is not in good physical shape. I have three disc bulges and they never caused me trouble during my career.”
Bale has played in three of a possible seven games for Real since his world-record 100-million euro (US$136.77 million) transfer from Tottenham Hotspur at the close of this summer’s transfer window.
Meanwhile, Barcelona has recovered forward Lionel Messi from a minor leg injury and captain Carles Puyol after a seven-month absence in time for its upcoming games against AC Milan and Real.
Barcelona team doctors cleared Messi and Javier Mascherano yesterday after muscle injuries in their right legs.
The 35-year-old Puyol was also deemed fit after recuperating from surgery on his right knee, which ruled him out of 27 consecutive matches since he was injured against Milan in March.
“(Puyol) is like a boy who has just made his debut in the first division,” Barcelona coach Gerard Martino said. “You can’t help but notice how excited Puyol is to be back with the group. I love seeing that because it means that whatever he may be lacking for not having played he will make up for in enthusiasm.”
Messi, Puyol and Mascherano made the squad for today’s game at Osasuna, when Barcelona will try to match a league record with a ninth straight win to start the season.
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