Gareth Bale returns from injury as Real Madrid chase LaLiga glory

Posted Saturday, May 20, 2017 by PA

Gareth Bale has been named in a 25-man squad as Real Madrid look to secure their first LaLiga title since 2012 on Sunday.

A draw at Malaga - who are managed by former Madrid player Michel - will be enough for Zinedine Zidane's side to end Barcelona's recent domestic dominance, with the defending champions needing a win at home to Eibar to have a chance of a third straight title.

"It's in our hands and that's significant," Zidane told a pre-match press conference. "We've got one game left and we're working exactly as we'd want.

"We're going into it in great physical shape and we'll go out and give it everything we've got to win the game, just as we always do.

"We're not going to change anything. The plan is to go out firing on all cylinders, give 100 per cent and play to win it, as ever. That's in this club's DNA and we'll have to see what happens."

Bale has been struggling with a calf injury and has not played since limping off in the first half of the 3-2 home defeat to Barcelona on April 23.

But Zidane added: "Everyone will travel tomorrow. We're all important and everyone needs to be ready for the remaining games.

"We know how hard it is to win LaLiga. It's very tough because there are 38 games, it's far from easy. Every week, or every three days, you have to show how much you want to win it and that's what we've managed to do so far.

"We work extremely hard and the players have been fantastic every day. We deserve the position we're in. We're top and now we've got to finish the job off in the final and most difficult game.

"We know where we are and that we have to win it ourselves out on the pitch and by working hard every day, fighting and never letting our heads drop. That's how we're going to continue."

Although he was keen to highlight the efforts of his entire squad, former France midfielder Zidane reserved special praise for the prolific Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has scored five times in his last three LaLiga games, as well as a hat-trick in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

"He's performing fantastically and he's on a sweet run of form, just like the rest of the squad," said Zidane, whose side face Juventus in the Champions League final in Cardiff on June 3.

"He's very happy. There are two games to go and we're going to give it everything we've got in both of them."

Malaga coach Michel insists his side will give 100 per cent against his former club, saying: "My players want to win every single match, regardless of the rival.

"The message has been the same every week, we cannot change it. It wouldn't be fair on our part, nor would it be credible.

"As such we have worked the same, with the same intention and same level of intensity - there can be no other way."