Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid. Spanish La Liga.
Wanda MetropolitanoAttendance66,591.
Saturday 18 November 2017 19:18, UK
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is confident Gareth Bale will come back stronger, with the Welshman sitting out of Saturday's clash against city rivals Atletico Madrid, live on Sky Sports Football.
Bale suffered a setback after sustaining a thigh problem following seven weeks out with a calf strain, but Zidane is not concerned by the delay in the forward's return.
"I don't think it's anything serious," Zidane said. "I think he'll be out for three or four days and he'll be back fit. I'm sure he'll come back stronger than ever and I hope he'll be 100 per cent next week and fit for the rest of the season."
But for Bale's absence, Zidane was in upbeat mood about his squad as they prepare for a first trip to face Atletico at their new Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
"The team looks good," he added. "We're missing a few players, but we'll start getting people back slowly. We're heading into the derby in good shape.
"We know how important this game is, as always. For people on the outside it's a special match, but for me it's three points and we're going to try and win it. We need to play at full throttle for 90 minutes."
Zidane has had good news on the fitness of playmaker Luka Modric and full-back Dani Carvajal.
"Luka was off colour yesterday but he's fine," Zidane said. "Dani has been ready for a while now. He didn't go away with the national team because it was better for him to keep working here."
Real sit above Atletico on goal difference alone, with both sides trailing leaders Barcelona by eight points heading into the weekend.
Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in 11 matches in La Liga so far this season.
Their coach Diego Simeone has included Koke in his squad following a thigh injury while Yannick Carrasco and Filipe Luis are doubts.
