Two weeks until Bale returns to full fitness

Two weeks until Bale returns to full fitness

Tt was a triumphant return to first-team action as Gareth Bale netted a goal against Espanyol on Saturday after being on the sidelines since before Christmas, however it is believed to be two weeks until he is once again fully fit.

Real Madrid are in no mood to rush the Welshman however his progress thus far has been astounding with the initial prognosis being early March before he could even return to action.

His ankle injury suffered on November 22 was the first truly serious issue the winger has had since arriving in the Spanish capital and it caused Zinedine Zidane sizable selection headaches over the winter period.

The decision was taken to play Bale against Espanyol in order to give him a taste of football once again in the hope his match fitness will improve before the LaLiga title run in.

A trip to Valencia is up next for Los Blancos and with it one of their two matches in hand on Barcelona it presents a priceless opportunity to cement their advantage in the title race.

It is as yet unclear whether the former Tottenham Hotspur star will play any part in the match on Wednesday with Zidane's aim being to gradually ease him back into regular action.

This has been his policy throughout his tenure with rotating players crucial in keeping them relatively fresh and healthy as the season heads into its final stretch.

Bale himself is perfectly at ease with this plan and even supported the decision of his coach in an interview on Saturday following the clash with Espanyol.

"We'll see [about playing against Valencia] I have to see how I feel in the next couple of days," he explained.

Only in training with the first-team properly for a week, it is important for Bale not to get carried away by his goal on Saturday.

It has been three months of hard graft and it would be senseless to put all that progress at risk to just try and force him back into regular action right away.

The fact is that Los Blancos don't need to do that, they are comfortable in LaLiga, and have a clear advantage in their Champions League tie against Napoli.

So whilst Bale may have set a personal target of the trip to the Stadio San Paolo being his first starting appearance, Real Madrid will assess his progress slowly over the next two weeks before making an informed decision.

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Zidane reinstates his strict Real Madrid rotation policy

Zidane reinstates his strict Real Madrid rotation policy

The guessing game that takes place an hour before each Real Madrid game has escalated under Zinedine Zidane with the coach once again adding several fringe players to his line-up for the weekend game with Espanyol.

While the news that Luka Modric, Keylor Navas, and Karim Benzema would be rested for the clash was communicated on Friday, the full extent to the changes surprised many.

Kiko Casilla came in between the sticks as Zidane rewarded the ex-Pericos keeper for hard work behind the scenes, also acknowledging that their Copa del Rey exit made first-team appearances difficult for the second choice.

In defence, Nacho Fernandez's versatility came to the fore to allow Marcelo some time off whereas Pepe was able to make his first start since December and replace Sergio Ramos.

Isco was deployed in midfield to continue his own mini rotation policy with James Rodriguez, the Colombian being favoured in the Champions League to allow the former Malaga star a spot in the league.

Mateo Kovacic, Lucas Vazquez, and Alvaro Morata all started as well in the 2-0 win as Zidane showed his power in dropping the likes of Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo without causing morale issues and while maintaining Los Blancos' dominant push to the title.

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Otamendi agent refuses to dismiss interest in Real Madrid switch

Otamendi agent refuses to dismiss interest in Real Madrid switch

Although Manchester City are yet to see the consistent best of Nicolas Otamendi, the player's agent, Martin Sendoa, has admitted that a transfer toReal Madrid would be worth considering.

Jorge Mendes represents the Argentine in Europe, and with the super-agent having strong ties to big clubs throughout the continent, Otamendi has previously been a target for the likes of Barcelona, according to Sendoa.

"Nico is happy at Manchester City. But who wouldn't like to play at Real Madrid? It's the biggest club in the world," he said in conversation with Radio Continental.

"Jorge Mendes is managing Otamendi in Europe.

"Barcelona have also followed him since he was at Valencia."

City forked out 35 million euros to bring in the centre-back from Los Che and he's been a key part of Pep Guardiola's side this season, playing 20 times in the Premier League with a further five starts in the Champions League.

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Luis Enrique reveals details about his contract renewal with Barça

Luis Enrique reveals details about his contract renewal with Barça




Barcelona coach Luis Enrique didn’t dodge the question about renewing his contract with Barcelona during his pregame press conference for Sunday’s game with Leganes, the 23rd game if the La Liga season. 


If on other occasions he’d tried to ignore the subject, arguing it didn’t interest him or it wasn’t the right time, this time he made it clear he’s still not taken a decision and that results will not affect what he decides. 


“What happens in these months will have nothing to do with my decision, not one game, not two or the 38 games in the league. I still haven’t taken it,” Luis Enrique made clear. 


“I have nothing [else] to say about it, I feel for anyone who thinks I’d be affected by it. Criticism has zero effect on me, if it was any other way I couldn’t be in this job for almost three years.


“We are our own fiercest critics, the ones who most want to improve. The rest is just a circus, but fortunately there’s a considerable distance between us and you [the media].”


Remember that the Barcelona boss had planned to sit down with the board to discuss his renewal after the second leg against PSG on Mar. 8 at Camp Nou. A meeting that, for now, we don’t know will have been affected by the result in the first leg.

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Bale: Hopefully I am a bit fresher than maybe some others

Gareth Bale hopes he will end the season fresher than other players after making his Real Madrid return on Saturday after 88 days out of action. 

The Welsh forward scored on his return to competitive football, coming as a second half substitute against Espanyol to score the second goal in a 2-0 win. 

Looking for positives, he now hopes his injury layoff will leave him in good stead to finish the season strongly as Madrid look to win La Liga and the Champions League. 

"Every cloud has a silver lining, hopefully I am a bit fresher than maybe some others," Bale told reporters at the Bernabeu after the game.

"It can work in my advantage to be out for a little bit, but the important thing now is to get back to 100 percent and playing well and to help the team."

Madrid face difficult back-to-back away games over the next week against Valencia and Villarreal and Bale admitted he may not be able to play a big part in both of them. 

After three months out, it’s important that he doesn’t ask too much of himself too soon. 

"I plan not to get injured any more," Bale added. "Hopefully now I can keep building my fitness up over the next few weeks... hopefully I can be fit for Real Madrid as soon as possible to play 90 minutes, and obviously for Wales as well.

"I was happy just to be on the pitch. There have been some tough moments, but we have an amazing medical team here. Jaime Benito (physio) has been incredible for me, my family have been amazing, my fiancee, my kids.

"It's been a difficult time but when you get a reception like that it makes it all worth it.

"I've been out for three months so it will take a few weeks to get back to 100 percent, it's just about managing my game time.

"It depends how I feel game-by-game. Today was 20 minutes. I will speak with the manager about Valencia and Villarreal.” 

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Another dig from Alfonso towards Guardiola & Pique over Catalan independence

Another dig from Alfonso towards Guardiola & Pique over Catalan independence

Former Barcelona player Alfonso Perez has been obsessed for a while with discrediting Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Barça defender Gerard Pique for their position of favour on a referendum for independence in Catalonia. 

Alfonso has once again hit out in quotes to 'Al loro' on 'Radio Marca' presented by Jordi Anjauma. 

On Guardiola, he said: "It would have been most honest if Guardiola, being such a Catalan, would have renounced the Spanish national team. I'm not against the Catalans. My son was born in Barcelona and if I was radical he would have been bored in Madrid or Seville. I have nothing against Catalans, but I do against those pushing for independence." 

The former Madrid, Betis and Barça man put Pique in the same bracket, despite the fact the centre-back has never publicly come out in favour of independence -- only a referendum to let the people decide. But Alfonso doesn't see any difference. 

He added: "Pique is in the same situation as Guardiola. What's happening is that he's playing at the moment and when the moment arrives he will position himself as radically as Pep Guardiola. He's positioned with independence in Catalonia."

In the interview, Alfonso said that "I am honest and I've been Barça since I was young. In Valladolid we went to see Valladolid-Barça when I was nine and Nuñez gave a friend of mine a banner, but not me, leaving me without one. When I went to Madrid at 13, I changed to Madrid and felt I identified with the team. Today I feel more identified with Madrid than Barça."

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Irina Shayk pregnant and could be planning wedding with Bradley Cooper

Photos of a pregnant Irina Shayk have emerged, and as a result, she could even be planning a wedding with her partner Bradley Cooper.

Since leaving the Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, the Russian Victoria Secret model has been with actor Bradley Cooper.

"I'm about to turn 31, which is the perfect time to have kids," Shayk said.

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Irina e Bradley Cooper na praia de Venice, Califórnia. (12/02)

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Xavi: PSG outclassed Barcelona in every facet

Barcelona suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, with former captain Xavi Hernandez not finding it hard to pin the blame on his old club.

Luis Enrique's men have it all to do in the second leg at the Camp Nou, but also have much to improve on after losing out in a game that they never looked to be competing well in.

"In terms of intensity, tempo of play, tactically, physically and mentally," Xavi explained to L'Equipe. "They were on top."

"Barcelona didn't have any chances. [Kevin] Trapp wasn't bothered at all.

"PSG were more aggressive than Barcelona, they rhythm of play was better and this was the difference, because in terms of the quality of players the two teams are more or less at the same level."

While it was largely a full-strength Blaugrana XI, the Qatar-based midfielder hinted at fitness issues restraining key players from making an impact.

"They were only threatened when Neymar had a one-on-one opportunity," the Spaniard went on. "Iniesta and Busquets, who were returning from injury, were not at their best level.

"Barcelona weren't at their normal level, I believe that Barcelona can keep PSG quiet and fight back at home, although it will be difficult."

After the disaster at Parc des Princes, plenty of negativity has been slung around, but Xavi still looks on the bright side.

"There is no need to give up, this isn't over yet, they haven't been knocked out - although realistically it will be very difficult," he reasoned.

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400 up for Andres Iniesta

Lt has been a week to forget for all involved with Barcelona yet a glimmer of positive news is just around the corner in the shape of Andres Iniesta's 400th LaLiga game for the club.

Nobody will be more acutely aware of the disappointment of Tuesday's 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain than Iniesta himself, but Sunday's clash with Leganes is a landmark moment whichever way you look at it.

Reaching the top level in football is tricky and so many fall short, but the true test of greatness is staying there - and Iniesta has done just that with Los Cules.

Arguably the club's greatest ever achievements have all come with the diminutive midfield maestro in tow yet the 2016/17 campaign hasn't been an easy one for him.

When he hasn't been on the sidelines injured, he has seen his team be far less effective than in years gone by.

The 4-0 defeat in Paris and the way the effervescent Marco Verratti ran rings around him was at times difficult to watch.

He was not up to his own usual standard and Sunday's game is his first opportunity to put that right.

Since his debut in December 2002 under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal, Iniesta has grown into an icon and captain of the club.

The Camp Nou will look to forget the mid-week misery and hope the 32-year-old can drag the club back into contention for the LaLiga title despite Real Madrid's victory over Espanyol.

Over the course of his illustrious career he has played 191 complete matches with 288 appearances coming from the start with a further 117 from the bench.

Of those 400 matches played in LaLiga he has accumulated 280 victories, 74 draws and a miserly 45 defeats.

Only his close friend Xavi Hernandez, who boasts 505 LaLiga appearances, can surpass the achievements of Iniesta.

It is a turbulent time within the confines of the club at the present moment and the reality is that things are going to get tougher before they can get better.

Luis Enrique's position as coach is unclear beyond this season whilst Lionel Messi's contractual dispute is an issue which is rather surprisingly making next to no progress at all.

Iniesta's own contract is up in June 2018 also but the circumstances are different to those of the Argentine star.

The Spaniard would not want to play his football anywhere else, he is the elder statesman in a team that desperately needs leadership and he will see out the remainder of his playing career with the Blaugrana.

With that said, he will wait his turn to sign an extension and in the mean time focus on delivering as positive and end to the season as possible - starting with winning on Sunday.

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Luis Enrique calls up Alena for Leganes match-day squad

Barcelona B midfielder Carles Alena has been given the nod as a part of the match-day squad to face Leganes on Sunday night at the Camp Nou.


Sergio Busquets will miss the match due to suspension, while Arda Turan, Javier Mascherano and Aleix Vidal are all injured.


The match-day squad is as follows: Ter Stegen, Cillessen, Piqué, Rakitic, Denis Suárez, A.Iniesta, Suárez, Messi, Neymar Jr, Rafinha, Paco Alcácer, Jordi Alba, Digne, Sergi Roberto, André Gomes , Umtiti, Mathieu and Alena.

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