Zinedine Zidane doesn’t want to risk with Gareth Bale’s health. The previous past season, the Welshman spent a lot of time out of the team because he suffered several injuries, so he couldn’t play often with Real Madrid. Now, Bale has started the season really good and the manager doesn’t want to force him to play this Sunday.
Gareth Bale had to be substituted last Wednesday against Sporting Lisbon in the second half after a violent crash in the hip with Portuguese player in the first half. Bale left the pitch in the half time with a lot of pain but he was able to come back and start playing again. He wasn’t in his best, so Zidane decided to change him and Lucas Vázquez entered in the second half, helping the team to come back and earn the three points.
This is a very special season for Gareth Bale. The former Tottenham Hotspur player showed in the past Euro and in the last Champions League that he is able to lead them team. So far, he has started really good the season, scoring two goals in San Sebastián and performing really good with Wales against Moldavia. The final of the Champions League is in Cardiff next year, his home town, and Bale wants to win his third continental trophy there.
Taking in consideration all the previous problems Bale has had, Zidane doesn’t want to take any risk and Bale will stay in Madrid instead of travelling to Barcelona to face Espanyol. Therefore, there will be space for Isco to be included in the list.
Zidane has several options to replace the Welshman. The most logic one seems to introduce Lucas Vázquez, who is playing great in the wing every time he has a chance. For instance, in the Sporting Lisbon game, Lucas caused a lot of problems in the wing. The other option could be James Rodríguez, who gave a superb assist to Morata in the second goal.
Apart from Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos or Benzema could also not play against Espanyol. The French manager might introduce some changes and Kovacic or Morata could start at Cornellà-El Prat, where Real Madrid thrashed last year 0-6 Espanyol.
