Confirmed: Bale to miss Spanish Super Cup final

'Marca' reports that Gareth Bale has not fully recovered from the upper respiratory infection that forced him to miss the semi-final against Valencia. 

This confirms a major setback for Real Madrid, who are also without Karim Benzema, the usual goalscorer this season. However, Real Madrid seemed to barely need their two stars in the semifinal against Valencia, with Isco, Kroos and Luka Modric all getting on the scoresheet. 

Thus, Bale will stay at home to continue his recovery process so he can be available ffor when Real Madrid come back to their many other LaLiga commitments. 

Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane will have to find solutions to Bezema and Bale's absences for his strikers again, much like he did against Valencia, where Jovic lead the way and Isco served as the middle man. 

January 9, 2020