Gareth Bale is back but returns not so much to a hero’s welcome but a Real Madrid team doing rather well without him. Both were minor but a calf injury at the start of January proved more serious and Bale was out for three weeks. READ ALSO: 2019 elections: Tight security as Atiku arrives in Abakaliki for campaignIn that time, Madrid rebounded off a defeat by Real Sociedad to beat Leganes, Real Betis, Sevilla and Girona. A glum-faced Bale was on the bench for the latest win over Girona, before coming on for 23 minutes in the second half. Fixtures (times GMT)FridayHuesca v Real Valladolid (2000)SaturdayLevante v Getafe (1200), Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao (1515), Barcelona v Valencia (1730), Celta Vigo v Sevilla (1945)SundayVillarreal v Espanyol (1100), Real Betis v Atletico Madrid (1515), Eibar v Girona (1730), Real Madrid v Alaves (1945)MondayRayo Vallecano v Leganes (2000)(AFP)DOWNLOAD THE PUNCH NEWS APP NOW ON

Source: Punch February 01, 2019 12:22 UTC