How Real Madrid Will Adapt Without Gareth Bale vs. Liverpool in Champions League

Real Madrid are set to be without Gareth Bale for the biggest week of their season thus far, with the Welshman ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Liverpool. He is also a doubt for Saturday's Clasico encounter with Barcelona. 

Bale, who's notched five goals and registered four assists in all competitions for Los Blancos this season, is struggling to overcome a gluteal injury suffered during Wales' 2-1 victory over Cyprus during the international break, per Sky Sports. 

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As reported in @SkySports, Gareth Bale injured: will miss at least the next two games, Liverpool and FC Barcelona. Bale se pierde el Clásico

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) October 20, 2014"

Bale's injury forced Carlo Ancelotti to make adjustments for Real Madrid's game against Levante on Saturday—the European champions hardly suffered, routing the home side 5-0 at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia—and he'll have to do the same against Liverpool on Wednesday. 

Let's take a look at how Los Blancos will adapt for the third match of their Champions League campaign. 

James to Take Up Bale's Two-Way Role

Ancelotti has been happy to discuss his team's tactical approach this season, describing his use of two specific shapes for defence and attack on numerous occasions. 

Ahead of Real Madrid's clash with Ludogorets, the Italian said, per Inside Spanish Football:

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[The] 4-4-2 [formation] is the best defensive system that exists. [The] 4-3-3 [formation] doesn't give the balance required and it's more difficult to pressure higher upfield. Our intention is to defend with a 4-4-2 and attack with a 4-3-3.

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After the 5-0 thrashing of Athletic Bilbao, Ancelotti expanded upon his tactics, explaining the roles of Bale and James Rodriguez in the fluid system. 

"When we have the ball we play with three midfielders, and without it, Bale helps us to defend as part of a line of four, with James moving over toward the left," the manager remarked, per Inside Spanish Football. 

David Ramos/Getty Images

Bale's athleticism has been important to Real employing two separate formations, with his running power allowing him to join the side's front line even after dropping back into midfield to aid the defensive effort.

Against Liverpool, just as he did against Levante, Rodriguez will fill that right-sided role for Ancelotti, with Isco coming into the starting XI to take up the Colombian's usual midfield berth. 

Without the ball, both men will flank Toni Kroos and Luka Modric (provided he's fit after Saturday's knock) to form a second bank of four, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema at the head of the formation. 

Bleacher Report

It will be interesting to watch Rodriguez in a more advanced position after gradually growing comfortable on the left of midfield, given that his talents closer to goal are what propelled him to fame during the World Cup.

A natural No. 10, the Colombian should enjoy plenty of attacking opportunities against the defensively shaky Reds, who've toyed with their back four in recent matches.

Provided he's prepared to shoulder the physical burden of Bale's two-way role and track back along the right flank, Rodriguez will be an extremely capable replacement for the Welshman.

Isco: The Energy of the Midfield

Despite struggling to win regular minutes, Isco is clearly a fan favourite inside the Bernabeu, thanks to his incessant energy whenever he's used by Ancelotti. 

Awarded a rare start against Levante in Bale's absence, the Spaniard was brilliant in Rodriguez's left-sided role (the Colombian moved over to the right to cover for Bale), operating as Los Blancos' spark throughout the afternoon to finish with a goal, an assist and 97 touches, per WhoScored.com. 

At Anfield on Wednesday, Isco will be charged with that responsibility again, moving ahead of the deeper and more withdrawn Kroos and Modric to be Ancelotti's key link between midfield and attack. 

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

The most notable component of Isco's game is the tempo he plays at—there's a noticeable difference in the team's speed of movement with the 22-year-old on the ball, with his inclination to skip past defenders helping Real Madrid to break the lines. 

That bubbling exuberance and sharpness can open up Liverpool's midfield on Wednesday and will create chances for Ronaldo (who's playing more centrally in 2014-15), Benzema and Rodriguez—the latter positioned nicely to cut inside onto his preferred left boot. 

And as Ancelotti has explained, his team will adopt their flowing 4-3-3 once possession is won from the hosts, placing Isco as the creative hub of the midfield and Rodriguez as the third forward. 

Bleacher Report

Is the Cover for Bale Adequate? 

In short, yes. Absolutely.

Real Madrid may be slightly less rampant on the counter-attack without Bale lining up on the right, but Rodriguez's presence will ensure there isn't any loss of firepower once Ancelotti's men do work their way forward. 

Of course, the success of Los Blancos' adaptation against Liverpool will depend on the Colombian's ability to shoulder Bale's physical workload when switching between the two distinct systems. And based on the 23-year-old's rapidly improving, two-way work ethic when used a left-sided midfielder this season, that shouldn't be a problem on Wednesday at Anfield.