Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane: Gareth Bale injury couldn't be avoided

Posted Wednesday, April 26, 2017 by PA

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insists Gareth Bale's latest injury setback could not be avoided.

Bale lasted just 35 minutes of Sunday's defeat to Barcelona before limping off at the Bernabeu with a calf problem, which has been described as a "grade 2 injury" by the club's medical staff and will reportedly see him sidelined for up to three weeks.

It has been a frustrating campaign for the former Tottenham man, who spent three months out earlier this season with an ankle problem.

Zidane will be without the Wales forward for a crucial period of the LaLiga and European campaign.

Real travel to face Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday night, host Valencia on Saturday and then prepare for a Champions League semi-final against city rivals Atletico.

But the Real coach feels there is little more anyone could have done to prevent Bale's injury.

"He has hurt himself, but he was 100 per cent. In the two training session he trained normally. Then that happened, but it's something that can't be avoided," Zidane said at a press conference.

"Players want to play. When you've had a long-term injury, it is difficult when you come back. You train and there can be other pains.

"Hopefully he is not out long, it is an injury, but it is not serious and we are going to try to have him back quickly."

Zidane added: "If I could do it again, I would do the same thing. He trained normally and wasn't in pain.

"The important thing is that there is clarity between the two of us. I trust what the players tell me and he was okay.

"He hurt himself and we can't be happy.

"I hope he is with us before the end of the league. The doctors tell me things, it is a small thing and we will see if he is with us soon."

Before losing El Clasico, Los Blancos had been on an impressive run, which included knocking Bayern Munich and former boss Carlo Ancelotti out of the Champions League.

Zidane maintained there was no reason to be negative ahead of the trip to the Riazor, with the LaLiga title still in Real's hands.

"It would have been better not to have lost (El Clasico), but in the end they were three points," he said.

"Now they are only saying that Barcelona will win the league and Real Madrid are not worth anything. I know and so do you that this is not true, but we can't prevent people from talking.

"I tell my players that we don't have to change anything in what we are doing. We must continue working hard and moving forward.

"bWe have our destiny in our hands, we are not relying on no one and we will try to do our best to win tomorrow."

Real will be missing captain Sergio Ramos through suspension following his sending off on Sunday, but fellow defender Raphael Varane is set to return from his hamstring problem.

Deportivo sit eight points clear of the relegation zone with five games to go and Pepe Mel's side will be out to erase the disappointment of a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.

Striker Florin Andone said on the club's official website: "The team is looking forward to playing well and facing Real Madrid. I can't wait for Wednesday to arrive and delete the image we gave against Sociedad."