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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti confirms Gareth Bale will miss El Clasico

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale shoots during the UEFA Super Cup Final at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.
Image: Gareth Bale: Misses this weekend's El Clasico

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Gareth Bale will miss this weekend’s El Clasico match as well as Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Liverpool.

The Wales international had already been ruled out of the Anfield game with an abdominal injury and ahead of that match the Italian revealed Bale will also have to sit out Saturday’s game with rivals Barcelona.

"We are working hard to get him fit but he is not available for tomorrow and Saturday but we are trying to get him recuperated as quickly as possible," said Ancelotti.

"It would be strange to come here thinking about Saturday and our thoughts are not with the next league game.

"I find it incredible that you are asking me about injuries and who is going to play on Saturday.

"It is very important we have some key players who can play in different positions.

"At the weekend in the absence of Bale we had James (Rodriguez) playing in that position - we have the quality to interchange players in different positions."

Former Chelsea boss Ancelotti can still call upon the services of Cristiano Ronaldo though and he believes it is “impossible” for him to play better than he currently is.

The former Manchester United forward broke a 71-year-old La Liga record at the weekend by scoring 15 goals in eight league matches to take his tally to 271 goals in 258 club appearances.

Ronaldo is just two goals away from equalling Real legend Raul's Champions League record of 71 and Ancelotti believes he is playing at the top of his game.

"Ronaldo is in a fantastic moment and is doing really well, it is impossible to do better," added Ancelotti.

"He is really focused and wants to try to do the best so this moment will continue."

Watch Liverpool v Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday – coverage gets underway on Sky Sports 5 HD at 6pm. You can then catch all the action from El Clasico on the same channel this Saturday from 5pm.

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