Real Madrid vs Malaga preview - Bale could face Malaga

Posted Friday, October 18, 2013 by PA

All eyes will be on Real Madrid's starting XI when they return to Primera Division action on Saturday against Malaga.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that his 100million euro man Gareth Bale "will return to play" after a thigh injury - not to mention plenty of debate about his long-term fitness prospects.

But there appears to be no chance of club stalwart Iker Casillas stepping up from the bench.

Goalkeeper Casillas has yet to displace Diego Lopez in the league, and although he started for Spain in their World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday, Ancelotti suggested in a pre-match press conference that Lopez would remain first choice.

Another player who was involved over the international break but may not be called on at the Bernabeu this weekend is French centre-half Raphael Varane.

With just two Real appearances under his belt so far this term, one against Levante and the other in the Champions League win over FC Copenhagen, he looked to be getting the better of his knee problems and represented Les Bleus in their 6-0 win over Australia.

But he was not 100 per cent fit in the aftermath and sat out the following fixture against Finland, as well as two training sessions upon his return to Madrid.

He is not thought to have seriously aggravated anything, but Sergio Ramos and Pepe seem likely to resume their defensive partnership to avoid risking the 20-year-old Varane.

Real lie third heading into the weekend, five points shy of rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Malaga, meanwhile, sit 10th having won just once in their last four games - a 2-0 home success over Almeria.

Striker Francisco Portillo knows that their next opponents are hardly the ones a side looking to get back to winning ways would choose, but has called for his team to rise to the challenge.

"Madrid have many players who are global stars but we will not be cowering, let's go to the party," said the 23-year-old.

"We look forward to the weekend and we will try to do the right things and get a positive result.

"It's a very difficult place to go and get a result and it is one of the best clubs in the world. We are aware of that but we also know what we have to do and we will give everything in our power to do it."