Gareth Bale will miss Real Madrid's clash with Espanyol.

Marca says the Welshman had to withdraw from the Real Madrid squad at the last minute owing to back pain, which caught the coaching staff off guard.

Bale had worked hard in the weeks leading up to the match against Espanyol, but in the end, he complained of back pain and was forced to withdraw from.

He's off the list. The club know what lies ahead for him, the dressing room are indifferent.

Bale could have played a few minutes against Espanyol if he wanted to. With one eye on Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City, Ancelotti is willing to distribute minutes among his attackers and give breaks to the regulars, and the Welshman appeared as one of the attacking options.

But the title could be confirmed today with Bale again absent.