Gareth Bale is working hard at Valdebebas -Real Madrid training ground- to get ready for El Clásico. Zinedine Zidane said in press conference before the game against Bayern Munich that the Welshman was ruled out for the Champions League clash but he would have some chances to be fit on Sunday. However, should he play in the line-up if he is ready?
The former Tottenham Hotspur player has trained with his colleagues two days before El Clásico at Santiago Bernabéu. Zidane doesn’t want to risk with his players, especially now that Los Blancos are qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they’ll meet Atlético Madrid.
If the Welshman is not 100% fit, the French manager has several options to replace him. Isco Alarcón played against Bayern Munich in his position, although the formation was changed and Real Madrid played with the 4-4-2. The Spaniard didn’t shine in the Champions League, but he played good minutes and he’s been the best player in the last weeks.
Marco Asensio could be the other option. The Majorca-born player was a key man in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. He came from the bench in both games to assist Cristiano Ronaldo at the Allianz Arena and to score a superb goal at Bernabéu. Perhaps, now he deserves to play in the line-up.
The third option is Lucas Vázquez. The former Espanyol player hasn’t been included in the important games recently. He played some minutes against Bayern Munich but his performance was quite poor. Besides, he was substituted at Gijón and he kicked his seat on the bench, knowing that his performance could have been improved.
The other options could be including Kovacic or James Rodríguez, but there are less likely. Therefore, Zidane has several options to replace Bale, even if the Welshman is ready to play. Perhaps, it’d be better if he doesn’t force himself and rest for the important games ahead. For instance, on Wednesday Real Madrid will travel to La Coruña to face Deportivo and Zidane will need Bale’s talent.
He definitely should!!!