Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale expected to be fit to face Barcelona in el clásico despite muscle tightness

The 27-year-old was substituted early in the Champions League win against Bayern Munich because of muscle tightness, although he is expected to be fit for the Barcelona clash

Bale had to be taken off after experiencing muscle tightness (Getty)

Gareth Bale is expected to be fit for Real Madrid in el clasico against Barcelona on 23 April even after being substituted with muscle tightness on Wednesday tonight.

The Wales winger was taken off by Zinedine Zidane after just 58 minutes of Real Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League quarter-final win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Bale was not visibly limping but confirmed afterwards that he was taken off with muscle tightness, thought to be in his hamstring. With the Spanish title-decider against Barcelona coming one week on Sunday that might be a concern but Bale confirmed that his injury was “not too bad”.

Zidane confirmed that Bale’s withdrawal was precautionary. “Bale felt something at half time, and as always we didn’t want to take a risk,” Zidane said. “We hope it’s not serious. It’s a muscle injury.”

Zidane was delighted with Real Madrid’s 2-1 away win but said that nothing is won yet, and that his team will have to “suffer” at the Bernabeu next Tuesday.

“We have to rest well because we have a Liga game quickly,” he said.

“Then we will see because we will suffer in the return too. Bayern can play in the same way home and away and we know we will suffer.”

Zidane admitted his team will have to 'suffer' at the Bernabéu (Getty)

The Real Madrid coach, who won this tournament as a player and of course with Real last year, knows that there is plenty more football left to be played.

“You never finish the tie in the first leg,” he said.

“With the second half we did playing very good football and keeping the ball from the rival, looking at the chances we had, one more goal would have been better. But it doesn’t change anything.”

Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Real could have killed his team off, but did not. “We are still alive, we have a chance,” he said.

“Maybe Real Madrid could have killed the qualification if they scored another goal but they didn’t score and we try our best on Tuesday.”