Real Madrid roll on without injured Bale

MADRID: Real Madrid shrugged off a warm-up injury suffered by Gareth Bale to move back to within two points of leaders Barcelona on Sunday thanks to a 4-1 win over Getafe.

Angel Lafita’s deflected strike had given the visitors a surprise early lead, but Pepe and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty put Madrid in front at half-time before Isco and Ronaldo sealed the win in the second half.

However, it was a frustrating day for Bale, who had been named in the starting line-up, as he was forced to miss what would have been his home debut at the Santiago Bernabeu after injuring his thigh in the warm-up.

Bale is a major doubt for Los Blancos’ trip to Elche tomorrow after the club confirmed he has suffered a thigh strain.

A statement on the club’s website confirmed that a scan carried out yesterday had detected a strain in his left thigh and his return to action would depend on his recovery over the next few days.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said after the game that he was hopeful Bale would be fit for Saturday’s Madrid derby against Atletico, however he wasn’t so positive about his chances of featuring in midweek.

‘‘Obviously, it is unusual that if a player can’t play in a match that he is ready to play in three days time,’’ he said.

‘‘I am sure that he will be ready for the game on Saturday.’’

Bale has played just 90 minutes of action since sealing his reported world transfer record breaking move from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.

The 24-year-old started and scored on his debut in the 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sept 14, but was only introduced by Ancelotti as a second-half substitute for the 6-1 thrashing of Galatasaray in the Champions League last week.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Valencia handed coach Miroslav Djukic a much needed win as they ended a run of four straight defeats with a 3-1 win over Sevilla thanks to a double from Brazilian Jonas Goncalves and Victor Ruiz’s late header.

Villarreal continued their unbeaten start to the season, but fell two points behind Real in fourth as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Celta Vigo.

There was also a stalemate in the day’s opening game as Real Betis and Granada drew 0-0.