Madrid’s Bale to miss Villarreal clash with muscle strain

“We have won nothing”.

Thanks to Gareth Bale’s 16th goal of the season in the 5-1 win over Getafe, they have cut Barcelona’s lead to just one point. Bale is regarded as the natural successor to Cristiano Ronaldo if and when the Portuguese star decides to leave the Bernabau.

In a season that has already been punctured by injury problems, the knock will come as a significant blow to Bale.

The Catalans’ remarkable loss of form, triggered by defeat to Real in El Clasico at the beginning of the month, has seen Barcelona lose their last three La Liga games and exit the Champions League. With Real’s rivals sealing a 3-0 victory against Granada, they moved into second place on the table, level on points with Barcelona.

And it means he is a doubt for the first leg of his team’s Champions League semi-final with Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City.

“We need to keep working and fighting right up to the last moment because they are ahead of us as it stands”, said Zidane, whose side have a flawless league record since losing at home to Atletico at the end of February.

“We’re in a good situation but have not achieved anything yet”, Zidane said.

“To talk about us going to win everything…I don’t like it. We have the fortune to be able to play for La Liga and the Champions League”.

Keen to play down speculation around the likely title-winners, he added: “We are capable of winning both titles, but it doesn’t mean anything”.

The Primera Division have now announced the Match Day officials that will take charge of the game against Villarreal this Wednesday.