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Real Madrid stars set to miss El Clasico

By Ernesto Hernandez

SEVILLA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 22: (L-R) Eden Hazard of Real Madrid, Gareth Bale of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla v Real Madrid at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 22, 2019 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
SEVILLA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 22: (L-R) Eden Hazard of Real Madrid, Gareth Bale of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla v Real Madrid at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 22, 2019 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid expected to be without three big name players ahead of the upcoming clasico.

The injury bug has bitten Real Madrid as it is believed the club will be without the likes of Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Marcelo for their big match against Barcelona.

Eden Hazard suffered an injury in the team’s Champions League match against PSG. At first, Madrid were optimistic that the player suffered only a bruised ankle.

However, according to Marca, that was not the case.

"“A fresh medical examination was thus required, and it has shown Hazard to have suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle, which means he definitely won’t play at the Camp Nou.”"

The need for new examinations were required after the Belgian showed up to the club’s holiday festivities in crutches.

The news only gets worse for Real Madrid as Gareth Bale is also a doubt.

Bleacher Report report that the Welshman will miss the matches against Espanyol and Club Brugge due to a hamstring injury.

Bale has been marred this season with inactivity due to injury or technical decisions as well as controversy for a supposed lack of commitment to Real Madrid.

However, Diario AS state that Bale is determined to be match fit in time for the Barcelona match and has been told by Zinedine Zidane that he expects Bale to work hard to make it in time.

Last but certainly not least is the absence of Marcelo. According to Marca, the Brazilian left-back is a doubt for the clasico after suffering a muscle injury in his calf. Like Bale, his availability will be a game time decision though he has less of a chance of making it than Bale.

The absence of Hazard is perhaps the biggest blow for Zidane. Prior to the injury, the Belgian was finally finding a rhythm after struggling to find a place on the pitch. His ability to dribble and find a lane in tight spaces is something Real Madrid are going to miss.

Potentially being without Bale and Marcelo would also be significant absences but Madrid have cover in the form of Ferland Mendy and they’ve done rather well without Bale in the side so far this season.

If nothing else, it means fewer options on the bench. Despite the saga surrounding Bale, he’s proven that he is still a difference maker when given an opportunity.

Next. Real Madrid finally locate the heir to Sergio Ramos’ throne. dark

Real Madrid were already facing a hostile atmosphere at the Camp Nou. Now they’ll have to do it without some pretty big names on the team sheet.

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