Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that superstar Gareth Bale may miss the upcoming match against Osasuna due to illness. Bale was only a substitute against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. However, his team did not need his services because they managed a 1-0 win over the Germans after a goal from Karim Benzema early on in the first half. Bale has been growing in stature over the last few months and his goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final is testament to this fact.
The illness that kept him out of the starting line-up against Bayern Munich will also play its part during the weekend according to Ancelotti. Madrid have a match against Osasuna which will be followed by Tuesday’s midweek encounter against Bayern Munich. This is the second leg encounter and it will be the Allianz Arena. In order to give Bale the best chance of being fit for this match, it is expected that Madrid will not be taking any risks with the 24-year-old for this encounter. Madrid need to win the match in order to stay in touch with title rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
The title is out of the hands of Madrid as they need to depend on Atletico to drop points in the remaining three matches of the season.
“Bale is still feeling a little weak after his illness. We will make a final decision on Saturday about whether he will play against Osasuna or if we will prepare him for Tuesday’s return instead. Cristiano did well against Bayern. He needs to play games in order to get back to his best again and he will play on Saturday. We want to recover energy to make sure we win all games. The match against Bayern cost us a lot of energy,” said Ancelotti.