Lopetegui confirms Bale, Benzema injuries

Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui confirmed Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema suffered injuries in the LaLiga giants’ shock 1-0 loss to Deportivo Alaves.

The pressure on Lopetegui increased after Madrid’s winless run extended to four matches with their defeat on Saturday.

Benzema came off at half-time and Bale was substituted with 10 minutes remaining at the Estadio de Mendizorroza, where Manu Garcia’s late goal saw Alaves claim their win.

Lopetegui confirmed Bale and Benzema were taken off due to injuries, in what could be further blows for his struggling team.

“Karim and Gareth had injuries, so we had to make decisions regarding changes,” he said.

FT: @Alaves 1-0 @RealMadrid (Manu García 90’+5′).#RMLiga pic.twitter.com/AeDQiUnVBk

— Real Madrid C.F.  (@realmadriden) October 6, 2018

“That’s football, that’s the way it goes, and today all the negatives came out. We have the international break now, so we can get back to what we’re doing.”

Madrid have failed to score in four straight games for the first time since 1985, and they host Levante after the international break.

1985 – Real Madrid have failed to score in four consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since April 1985 (five), their worst run ever. Drought pic.twitter.com/Hrej7ojkM4

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 6, 2018