Zidane: "I'm worried about Bale"

The Real Madrid coach said Bale wouldn't play against Sporting Gijón and wouldn't confirm his presence against Bayern Munich or Barcelona.
Real Madrid-Sevilla live: LaLiga

Update: Apr 14th, 2017 09:51 EDT

Zidane: "I'm worried about Bale" — Chema MoyaEFE

Zinedine Zidane spoke to the press ahead of Saturday's LaLiga match against Sporting Gijón in El Molinón (check how and where you can watch the game).

The big news, though no surprise, was Zidane's confirmation of Bale's injury.

Bale out against Sporting Gijón

"Bale won't be with us tomorrow against Sporting, and then we'll see", said Zidane. "There's no doubt he's got something, a bruise and we're not going to risk him at all". The Real Madrid coach said the plan was to take things "day by day" with the Welsh international. "We'll go game by game. We're not thinking about anything else. And I hope he'll back with us soon".

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (R) and Bayern Munich's Austrian defender David Alaba vie for the ball during the first-leg quarter final Champions league football match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at the Allianz arena in Munich on AprilODD ANDERSENAFP

Bale suffering calf injury

Zidane said Bale's problem was a calf injury. "It's in the part where he had his operation and it hurts him when he plays. It's a muscle issue." And the French coach admitted his concern for Bale: "I'm worried, because I don't like to see players injured and more so in the final part of the season. But there's nothing we can do. We're not going to risk anything".

As to how Bale was taking the injury Zidane said the Welshman was in good spirits. "He knows it's not that serious. It's the kind of set back that happens when you've been out for three months and you come back".

Real Madrid defence for Sporting game

Zidane said Real Madrid would have problems in defence, due to the injuries his squad had suffered. "We'll rely on the players who are there and we'll be positive. Let's hope there are no more injuries and that's that".

Cristiano Ronaldo

Zidane said he was delighted with Ronaldo's attitude. "The truth is he's great, he's so motivated, he's great. His 100 goals in Europe? Not many players get 100 goals in Europe..."

As to Benzema and the fact he's lost a fair amount of weight Zidane said: "You can see it. He did it on his own. It's true that physically he's in good shape. He's more in form. He knows how important it is to be in shape all year, and even more so now, when everything is at stake. And playing every three days."

Zidane: "I'm worried about Bale"