‘Ronaldo is fine’ but Gareth Bale out for Real Madrid clash v Valladolid

Gareth Bale will not be in the squad when Real Madrid take on Real Valladolid on Wednesday with hopes of still catching the La Liga title, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday.

Gareth Bale has made 26 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid this season. Sergio Perez / Reuters

Welsh winger Gareth Bale will miss Real Madrid’s crucial La Liga trip to relegation threatened Valladolid on Wednesday.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Bale suffered a knock in his side’s 2-2 draw with Valencia on Sunday, which left Real five points behind leaders Atletico Madrid but with a game in hand.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational backheeled stoppage time equaliser in that game to keep Madrid in the hunt and Ancelotti also confirmed the Portuguese will start despite not taking a full part in training on Tuesday.

“Ronaldo is fine, although he is a little tired. He just did part of the training session but he is available for Valladolid. Bale is out due to a knock, as is (Dani) Carvajal with a muscular problem,” he said.

Atletico will be crowned champions for the first time in 18 years if they manage to take four points from their last two games, including a trip to Barcelona on the final day of the season.

However, should Real’s opponents in the Champions League final later this month lose one of their remaining games, Ancelotti’s men can keep their quest for a historic treble alive by winning their three remaining fixtures.

And the Italian is determined to pile the pressure on Atletico.

“We need to win the three games that are left. That is the part that is in our hands.

“The game against Valladolid is a final for us because not winning it would mean losing the league. We are very focused and will give everything to win.

“It will be a decisive match for both teams because they are fighting for survival and it won’t be easy.”

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