Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said he is surprised by how big a story Gareth Bale’s start in the Spanish capital has become, with reports the Welshman has a serious back problem.
The Spanish press claimed earlier this week that the Welshman faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a slipped disc in his back which needs operating on.
But the 24-year-old summer signing returned to full training this week and is set to play in some part in his side’s match against Malaga at the weekend. And Ancelotti said Bale’s only problem is a lack of match fitness because didn’t take part in a full pre-season programme, meaning he is playing catch up now.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Ancelotti said: “It was a surprise as it is not the truth. Bale does not have a problem – it is just that he did not do a good pre-season and is not fully fit.
“If he had a slipped disc he could not have played over 100 games in the last four seasons. His problem is just the pre-season, but he is training well and he is available, maybe for the full game or part of the game. I want to give him some minutes tomorrow as he needs to play.”
