Real Madrid: Bale demands consistency; Modric sidelined with knee injury

Gareth Bale of Real Madridduring the UEFA Champions League group F match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on September 27, 2016 at the Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Gareth Bale of Real Madridduring the UEFA Champions League group F match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on September 27, 2016 at the Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)

After three straight draw, Gareth Bale has voiced his opinion on what it takes to win the Primera Division.

A club such as Real Madrid are always in contention to win trophies and sign the elite players across Europe. But one trophy that has eluded Los Blancos for the past four seasons is La Liga, and Gareth Bale has demanded his club find consistency to wrestle back the Primera Division crown.

“We need to be more consistent,” Bale told Sport magazine. “We had a very good end of the season last year, but we need to be better at the start and in the middle.

“Ultimately, the most consistent team wins the league. We came very close last year — not close enough, but we’re going to work harder as a team together. Hopefully, at the end of the season, we’re lifting that trophy.”

After making late title push last campaign, Real finished one point behind titleholder Barcelona. Bale has two Champions League glory with Madrid, but he’s keen on achieving La Liga success under manager Zinedine Zidane this season.

Bale has every right to request consistency from Real, but the winger display hasn’t been consistent so far this season.

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With Ronaldo aging, Blancos needs Bale to imbue the team and not become an outcast, such was the case in his second season at the Bernabeu.

“In a way, I’m quite glad that happened because it made me a stronger person, a stronger player,” he said. “You learn more from when things are not going well than if you were just a winner. I’ve really benefited from it.

“As a footballer, you want to keep improving. The main thing for me was to push myself more and more, to get better and better. Those are the challenges every year. Even if you have a great season, you have to try and have a better one next year. That’s the challenge I face.”

Since netting a brace in the first fixture against Real Sociedad, the Welsh star has been goalless, with only one assist which came in a 5-2 Madrid win over Osasuna.

 Midfielder Luka Modric sidelined with knee injury

The club have confirmed Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is set to be sidelined with a knee cartilage injury.

After completing 90 minutes in Tuesday’s Champions League draw against Borussia Dortmund, Modric missed Saturday’s training before being diagnosed with a left knee cartilage problem.

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Real Madrid released the following statement.

“Following tests carried out on Luka Modric, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the articular cartilage in his left knee,” the statement said.

“His recovery will continue to be monitored.”

Head coach Zinedine Zidane assured Spain international Isco will start against Eibar on Sunday at the Bernabeu in his prematch news conference.