COMMENT: The former Tottenham pair both went off injured in Real's 3-1 win over Malaga on Saturday and look likely to miss the Champions League clash against Atletico on Wednesday

By Ben Hayward at the Santiago BernabeuJust when coach Carlo Ancelotti was getting used to having a fully fit squad at his disposal once again, he received some ominous news. Injury has struck down two of his most important players at the worst possible time.Gareth Bale went down after two minutes against Malaga and was withdrawn shortly afterwards with a calf problem. Later, on the hour mark, his former Tottenham team-mate Luka Modric limped off with suspected ligament damage in his knee which could keep the Croatian midfielder out for the rest of the season.In the meantime, Madrid managed to defeat a stubborn Malaga team 3-1 to stay within two points of Liga leaders Barcelona in the title race. But the victory came at a heavy price due to the Modric and Bale blows, just four days ahead of the crucial Champions League clash against Atletico at the Bernabeu on Wednesday."Modric has a knee injury and Bale has a calf problem," Ancelotti said afterwards, "We are going to assess them in the coming days. They are not completely ruled out. There will be tests over the next few days and we will make a decision."However, initial tests showed Modric is likely to be sidelined for five to six weeks, while Bale faces a race against time to be fit for the derby date that is key to Madrid's success in the remainder of the current campaign.Ancelotti is already without the suspended Marcelo on Wednesday as Real look to beat Atleti for the first time since the Champions League final in Lisbon last season, having failed to overcome Diego Simeone's side in seven successive games so far in 2014-15.Fabio Coentrao is set to start against Atleti, even though the Portugal left-back has not played for Madrid since March 10 against Schalke."Coentrao is the most likely for that position," Ancelotti said. "It wasn't a game to give him minutes, but he is our first choice. He has had resistance training and he will undergo strength work, then speed training and finally he will work with his team-mates."Karim Benzema is another worry for the 55-year-old. The France forward picked up a knock against Atleti last Tuesday and missed the Malaga match, although he is expected to be fit for Wednesday's second leg."I think he will be alright," Ancelotti said. "He had a problem in the last game, but he has four days and I think that is enough time for him to recover well."Bale's possible absence could be a blessing. Madrid's Welsh winger has been heavily criticised this season and many believe the 25-year-old deserves to be benched following some poor performances over the last few months.The same cannot be said of Modric, however. Madrid's form dipped dramatically during his injury absence between November and March, their performances much improved after his recent return to the team.Without Luka, Madrid must find a way of beating Atletico and somehow challenge Barca in La Liga, with tough tests against Sevilla away and Valencia at home still to come and a two-point deficit to Luis Enrique's side with only six rounds remaining in the Primera Division.So while they are currently still standing in two competitions, key injuries on Saturday mean Madrid's season is now suddenly and very worryingly teetering on the brink.

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