Photo by Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sport

 

By RYAN TOLMICH

Gareth Bale looks set to miss out on two of the biggest games on Real Madrid’s upcoming schedule.

The Welch star has been ruled out of the club’s midweek Champions League clash with Liverpool due to a glutial muscle injury that has limited him since last week’s international break. In addition, Bale is doubtful for this weekend’s battle against Barcelona, the first Classico of the season.

“After tests carried out on Gareth Bale by the Real Madrid Sanitas medical services, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury in the right pyramidalis muscle,” the club said in a statement. “His progress will be monitored.”

Bale has made 12 appearances and scored five goals for Real Madrid in all competitions this season.

Here are some more news and notes to kickoff your Monday morning:

RUSSIAN WORLD CUP VENUE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

After seeing the last-minute controversy’s in the recent Brazilian-hosted World Cup, 2018 hosts Russia are determined to not make the same mistakes.

Chris Unger, FIFA’s top official in charge of Russia’s preparations, has revealed that construction on Luzhniki Stadium, which will host the tournament’s final, is already ahead of schedule.

“As we heard today, they seem to be ahead of schedule (at Luzhniki),” Unger said, “which is good for everybody, because the sooner they finish, the sooner we can begin testing.”

In addition, St. Petersburg’s new 69,000-seat stadium, which host a 2018 semifinal, is set for a 2016 opening ahead of the next summer’s Confederations Cup.

LIVERPOOL’S RODGERS BRUSHES OFF LINK TO VALDES

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has all but dismissed rumors linking the Premier League club to goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

The former Barcelona keeper has reportedly been linked with Liverpool for quite some time, but when asked if Liverpool were after any Spanish players, Rodgers replied with simply, “No”.

Valdes had reportedly turned down Liverpool’s advances due to the club’s insistence on seeing the goalkeeper play through a four day trial.

The Spaniard is coming off an ACL injury that ended his 13th and final season at boyhood club Barcelona.

GOTZE WOULD LOVE TO WELCOME REUS AT BAYERN

As one of the world’s best young talents, Marco Reus is surely on the wish-list of nearly all of Europe’s top clubs. However, former teammate Mario Gotze is personally hoping that his fellow German star will follow his path with a move to Bayern Munich.

Gotze made the switch from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern in 2013, and now the World Cup winner has voiced his hopes to see Reus do the same.

“Marco and I get along really well,” Gotze said. “I am also happy to see him with the national team. We had a great year at Dortmund, and of course I’d be happy he if were to join us. But that’s his decision.”

Meanwhile, Dortmund have struggled mightily this season, having claimed just seven points from eight games in what manager Jurgen Klopp is now calling “a relegation battle”.

QUICK KICKS

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp called midfielder Adel Taarabt “overweight” after the Englishman once again chose not to play the Moroccan international. (REPORT)

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal is set to replace Andrea Pirlo for this week’s Champions League clash with Olympiakos. (REPORT)

As a result of Saturday’s 8-0 thrashing at the hands of Southampton, Sunderland goalkeeper Victor Mannone says he and his teammates should refund the club’s traveling supporters. (REPORT)

After hurting his hamstring in a summer friendly, Paris Saint-Germain centerback Thiago Silva has admitted blame for his injury woes. (REPORT)

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How should Real Madrid replace Bale this week? What do you make of Russia’s preparations thus far? How should Liverpool go about fixing their defensive woes?

Share your thoughts below.