Gareth Bale Out vs. Bayern Munich Due to Calf Injury, Uncertain vs. Barcelona

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale will miss Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg with Bayern Munich and is a doubt for Sunday's clash with rivals Barcelona because of a calf problem.

Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane confirmed Bale's knock on Monday. "I hope that it's nothing and that he's not out for long," the Frenchman said, per Sport. "He won't be with us for Bayern, though, because we don't want to risk him. He is desperate to come back and is working hard to do so."

When quizzed on Sunday's Clasico, Zidane said "I hope that he can be with us for the Clasico, but I can't guarantee anything."

The Welshman picked up the problem during the first leg with Bayern Munich on Wednesday; Madrid have a 2-1 advantage in the tie thanks to an impressive away win.

Having missed a significant portion of the 2016-17 season through fitness issues, Bale will have been desperate to go on a prolonged run without any niggles.

His ability to carry the ball with devastating pace, find passes and score goals from different positions on the field adds a different dimension to the Blancos attack.

While Cristiano Ronaldo is the man who typically applies the finishing touches in the final third, Bale has established himself at the attacking hub of the side with his dynamic play. Even for a squad as packed with attacking talent as Real's, finding a replacement for him is a challenge.

Zidane does have a lot of depth in the final third, though. The most natural replacements are Isco and James Rodriguez, although they're a little more careful in their play; Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez could also fill in.

No one provides the same attacking threat and potential tactical flexibility as the Welshman, though. 

For all his talent and ability, those who frequent the Santiago Bernabeu will be a little concerned at the frequency with which Bale is picking up injuries.