The Spanish Press warn Gareth Bale could miss Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final tie against Juventus, while Paul Pogba is expected to return.
Bale has not played since sustaining a calf injury in Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Malaga last month, and Marca claims he is struggling to convince the club’s hierarchy of his fitness heading into the season’s run-in.
This comes despite the Welshman travelling with the Madrid squad for Saturday’s trip to Sevilla in La Liga, with Javier Hernandez likely to get the nod again in his absence.
Nonetheless, Bale took part in his second training session of the week on Friday, amid the watchful eye of Carlo Ancelotti and his assistant Paul Clement, and reportedly pulled through without any problems.
Doubts over Bale’s participation against Juve come in stark contrast to the confidence exuded by the Bianconeri in relation to Pogba’s fitness.
The midfielder has been sidelined since mid-March with a hamstring injury, but subsequent MRI scans have been positive, although he is yet to receive the all-clear from the club’s medical staff.
There are even fears that Pogba could risk a four-month layoff if he aggravates his knock, but Marca writes he has worked day and night to regain his fitness in time for the second leg at the very latest.
