Raphael Varane knock causes concern for Real Madrid as PSG tie looms

Published on: 30 January 2018

The FC crew assess the impact Real Madrid's "BBC" trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo had on the club's win over Valencia in their first start together in 280 days. Real Madrid snapped a four-match road winless run in La Liga, as Cristiano Ronaldo's pair of penalties paved the way in a 4-1 win at Valencia.

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is again being troubled by a knee problem, giving coach Zinedine Zidane defensive worries ahead of the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Varane suffered a knock to his right knee during last weekend's win at Valencia and the France international was unable to take a full part in Tuesday's training session.

Wales winger Gareth Bale did not train with the squad for undisclosed reasons but is expected to be available to face Levante on Saturday evening.

Isco and Sergio Ramos stepped up their recoveries from recent hip and calf injuries respectively but have not yet rejoined the group.

"The team completed the second session of the week in preparation for the Liga clash with Levante," a club statement said.

"Varane, who took a knock in the game at Mestalla, trained alone with and without the ball. Isco and Ramos completed part of the session with the team as part of their recovery process.

"[Jesus] Vallejo and [Dani] Ceballos continued their recovery processes. Bale trained using the indoor facilities."

If neither Ramos nor Varane are fit for Levante, holding midfielder Casemiro could fill in alongside Nacho Fernandez.

With Dani Carvajal suspended for the first leg against PSG at the Bernabeu next month, Nacho has been pencilled in to play right-back.

However, that plan would need to be revisited if either Ramos or Varane were unavailable.

Madrid's Copa del Rey exit to Leganes means they have more free time to prepare to face the Ligue 1 leaders.

AS reported that fitness coach Antonio Pintus has planned extra work for the players over the next two weeks.

The ex-Juventus and Chelsea coach is known for his old-school methods and will reportedly repeat the intensive work used in January 2015 after Zidane replaced Rafa Benitez.

Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan

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Source: espn.co.uk

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