Ancelotti: Bale 100 per cent fit to face Juventus

The Real Madrid ace made his comeback from injury in Saturday's win at Sevilla and has now been deemed fit to start against the Bianconeri.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists that Gareth Bale is in "perfect" physical shape to face Juventus in Turin on Tuesday.

The Wales international only made his return from a calf injury in Saturday's Liga meeting with Sevilla, with the winger coming on in the second half of the 3-2 win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and setting up Cristiano Ronaldo for his hat-trick goal.

Ancelotti is thus in no doubt that Bale is ready to play a major role in Madrid's Champions League semi-final, second-leg clash with Juve.

"I think Bale is perfect," the Italian told reporters on the eve of the game. "He had an injury but then he recovered and is doing well.

"He played just 30 minutes against Sevilla, but he was fine afterwards. He is at 100 per cent."

The game has come too soon, though, for Karim Benzema, who is still struggling with a knee problem.

Consequently, Javier Hernandez, who netted the only goal in the 1-0 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, is expected to continue up front.

The Mexico international expressed his frustration at his lack of game time during the first half of the season but he has contributed four Liga goals in his last six outings and Ancelotti believes that he has managed the on-loan Manchester United forward well.

"Everybody is happy with Chicharito," the former Chelsea boss stated. "If we are here, it is also thanks to him.

"I was smart when I called him to play and he will remain an important part of the team.

"He has never been a problem because he is in optimal physical and mental condition.

"He can play from the first minute or stepping off the bench. He just has to enjoy the positive moment he is in."

It has been suggested that Juventus will try to frustrate Madrid's much vaunted attack as much as Atletico did, but Ancelotti disagrees.

"This tie will also be equal but Juve are not like Atletico," he added. "They're different.

"I think it will be a different game. Juve also like possession.

"They have experienced players and others with a lot of quality."