Real Madrid forward ruled out of Champions League semi-finals

Real Madrid have been dealt a blow ahead of their Champions League semi-final against rivals Atletico Madrid with news Gareth Bale will miss both legs with another calf injury.

Bale wasn’t even able to last until half time in Madrid’s thrilling 3-2 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday evening before pulling up lame with a reoccurrence of his calf problem.

The 27-year-old has struggled to stay fit all season and this latest blow can come as no surprise having previously been a big doubt for Saturday’s Clasico, although Zinedine Zidane has denied he was rushed back to feature.

“Following the tests carried out on Gareth Bale by the Sanitas Medical Services, the player has been diagnosed with a grade 2 injury in his left calf,” a statement read on Madrid’s official website. “His recovery will continue to be assessed.

Madrid host Atletico in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash next week before making the trip across the Spanish capital for the return leg on May 10.

Bale has only started 17 of Madrid’s 32 league games this season and now looks certain to finish a league campaign having failed to reach double figures for goals for the first time since his penultimate season with Tottenham in 2011/12.

For more stats on Gareth Bale, click here to visit his WhoScored player page