The Welshman was hurt in the warm-up before Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Getafe, but the Argentina and Spain stars shone in his absence and now look very difficult to displace

By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer
It was supposed to be all about Gareth Bale. The Welsh winger was poised to make his home debut for Real Madrid on Sunday; in front of 70,000 expectant fans, the stage was set. But injury intervened to force Bale out before he had even started. And in his absence, Isco and Angel di Maria threw down the gauntlet to their expensive new team-mate.
Bale felt discomfort in the warm-up as he attempted to shoot and was denied his dream debut at the Santiago Bernabeu by a troublesome left thigh which will require further medical attention and tests on Monday. "Bale has a small problem," coach Carlo Ancelotti told the media after his side beat Getafe 4-1. "We can't say if it is an injury; we will have to wait until tomorrow to know more."
The 24-year-old is now a doubt for the trip to promoted side Elche on Wednesday, Ancelotti admitted. And by the time he is back in contention, the former Tottenham man now not only faces a battle to regain full fitness for his new club, but also a fight to make a first-team place his own.
Earlier on Sunday, Madrid president Florentino Perez spoke of his high hopes for the summer signing. "Gareth has arrived to form part of a spectacular team," the construction magnate told socios at an annual assembly. "He was the image and the marquee player of the Premier League. He will help us win titles, La Decima and more trophies - that's the challenge. Bale is destined to define an era at Real Madrid."