Casillas escapes broken rib: "It's just a knock; everything's fine"

Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas has been given a fitness boost after it was confirmed that he did not suffer a fractured rib against Galatasaray on Tuesday evening.

The goalkeeper, who was making his first competitive appearance for Madrid for 238 days, was substituted after 13 minutes of his side’s 6-1 Champions League win at the Türk Telekom Arena after clashing with team-mate Sergio Ramos.

The 32-year-old underwent medical tests at the Sanitas La Moraleja clinic on Wednesday morning, commenting afterwards: “It’s just a knock. Everything’s fine.”

Real Madrid’s medical team have confirmed that the injury is not serious, issuing a statement announcing that Casillas has suffered “a bruised left rib” and will now undergo treatment.

The Spain captain, who has been given the goalkeeper’s jersey for the Champions League by coach Carlo Ancelotti, will therefore return in time to face Copenhagen in Real’s second group stage encounter on 2 October.                                                  By  As

The Ronaldo-Benzema connection

The Cristiano Ronaldo-Benzema partnership bore fruit in Istanbul. The five goals between them showed good link-up between the Portuguese and the Frenchman, who continue to score goals in their preferred competition: Ronaldo has 53, and Benzema, 33.

Ronaldo has 53 goals in 93 Champions League matches and is within range of Van Nistelrooy, who with 56 is the third-leading Champions league goal-scorer after Raul (71) and Messi (59).

The Portuguese tallied his second Champions League hat-trick after the one he scored against Ajax in 2012-13, with both coming away from home. It is the fifth goal that he has scored against Galatasaray in the Champions League, the second-most scored upon opponent after Ajax, who he has scored seven against.

                                                                                               By Marca

Bale: "I have had zero pre-season"

Gareth Bale said in the mixed zone after the game in Istanbul: "It was great to be back in the Champions League. It has been two or three years now. It is great to get out on the pitch and get some game time.

"It was good to make an immediate contribution with the free kick. I think I was involved in all the last three goals which was delightful. So it was just great to get back on the pitch and get some game time under my belt", he added.

"It is never easy coming on as a late sub. To make my Champions League debut for Real Madrid was a big thing for me. And it was just great to get some game time and get my fitness up", Bale said.

"I think everyone knows that we are going to be there or thereabouts. For us, it was important to get off to a good start and show what we can do. And we can score goals", the Wales international added.

"I am not too sure about my fitness to be honest. It is all about building up my game time gradually. I have had zero pre-season which doesn't help. I have had no game time over the summer. It is all about getting game time under my belt and getting my fitness up as quick as I can", Bale concluded.

                                                                                                                      by marca