Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is confident Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will be fit for the Champions League final against Atlético Madrid on Saturday but is less certain about Karim Benzema and Pepe. None of the four took part in full squad training on Tuesday, with Ronaldo exercising on his own and Bale, Pepe and Benzema working indoors. However, Ancelotti said his only concerns were Pepe and
Benzema. “As things stand they wouldn’t be able to play,” he admitted. “But we have four days to the final
and we’ll wait and see.” On Bale he added: “He’s done specific work in the gym. He didn’t need to come out on the pitch in today’s session. There’s no problem and I think those two [Bale and Ronaldo] are going to be able to play.” Bale said: “It was just a bit of recovery [work]. I did not play for two games prior to the weekend but I feel good.” Ronaldo limped out of the warm-up for the 3-1 victory over Espanyol on Saturday and Benzema was substituted with an adductor injury. He has been suffering from a persistent thigh injury and his last match was in a 1-1 draw at Valladolid on May 7 where he lasted less than 10 minutes before coming off. “I feel good but still not 100%. I hope to be ready for Saturday,” the Portuguese told Real Madrid TV. “Playing during the week and weekends means it is normal that the body has a negative response. Unfortunately I have had a few problems but if you look around Europe the same thing is happening and players are getting injured. “Nobody wants to miss a final, a final we have been aiming for and it is obviously important. If the body can’t do it then it is not the end of the world but I will be there, I am confident.” Ancelotti said of Pepe and Benzema: “They are the only two players over whom we have doubts. I am not optimistic or pessimistic.”
Benzema. “As things stand they wouldn’t be able to play,” he admitted. “But we have four days to the final
and we’ll wait and see.” On Bale he added: “He’s done specific work in the gym. He didn’t need to come out on the pitch in today’s session. There’s no problem and I think those two [Bale and Ronaldo] are going to be able to play.” Bale said: “It was just a bit of recovery [work]. I did not play for two games prior to the weekend but I feel good.” Ronaldo limped out of the warm-up for the 3-1 victory over Espanyol on Saturday and Benzema was substituted with an adductor injury. He has been suffering from a persistent thigh injury and his last match was in a 1-1 draw at Valladolid on May 7 where he lasted less than 10 minutes before coming off. “I feel good but still not 100%. I hope to be ready for Saturday,” the Portuguese told Real Madrid TV. “Playing during the week and weekends means it is normal that the body has a negative response. Unfortunately I have had a few problems but if you look around Europe the same thing is happening and players are getting injured. “Nobody wants to miss a final, a final we have been aiming for and it is obviously important. If the body can’t do it then it is not the end of the world but I will be there, I am confident.” Ancelotti said of Pepe and Benzema: “They are the only two players over whom we have doubts. I am not optimistic or pessimistic.”
Tags: Real Madrid, Champions League , Atlético Madrid , Gareth Bale , Cristiano Ronaldo
