Welshman Gareth Bale was a major absentee for Real Madrid during their El Clasico encounter with Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga last weekend. The Wales national team star was absent from the Real Madrid squad as they were thumped 4-0 at home by Barcelona.
Smarting from booking a place in the Europa League quarterfinals with a 2-1 aggregate win over Turkish giants Galatasaray, Catalan outfit Barcelona took the lead just before the hour mark in the latest El Clasico played on Sunday. The recipient of the first goal of the game at the Estadio Santiago Bernebeu was in-form Pierre-EmerickAubameyang who converted the cross from French winger OusmaneDembele via a header. Barcelona made it two goals in nine minutes when Ronald Araujo doubled their advantage with another header from a corner kick taken by the aforementioned Dembele. The goals from Aubameyang and Araujo gave Catalan giants Barcelona a two-goal lead at the end of the first 45 minutes.
Barcelona were in a strong position at the break and they went on to score two more goals in four minutes to complete the rout of Real Madrid. Spanish international Ferran Torres scored the third Barcelona goal two minutes into the second half off the assist from Gabonese international striker Aubameyang before he turned provider for Aubameyang to score his second goal of the game. The African star has been in sensational form since joining Barcelona in January with his two goals against Real Madrid taking his tally to nine goals in eight starts and three substitute appearances.
On Gareth Bale, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said the Welshman missed the game due to an injury. Reports in Spain said that Gareth Bale was absent due to a back injury.