Injuries to Gareth Bale and Luka Modric – just four days before the Champions League quarter-final return leg with Atletico Madrid – overshadowed Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Malaga at the Bernabeu last night.

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Welsh winger Bale limped off after just two minutes holding his left calf, making him a major doubt for Wednesday’s key European date.

And midfield ace Modric was forced to withdraw after an hour holding his right knee, although his injury initially appeared less worrying than his former Tottenham colleague. 

Sergio Ramos opened the scoring and James Rodriguez added a classy second before Juanmi pulled one back to ensure a nervy ending, but Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 39th of the season in stoppage time.

After Bale’s injury dominated the early going, Malaga settled quickly and forward Nordin Amrabat caused some problems, making a dangerous run and then forcing Iker Casillas to tip a powerfully struck rising drive over the crossbar.

The subsequent corner flashed dangerously across the front of goal and the visiting team – who had never previously won at the Bernabeu – were on top at this stage.

Having been slow to settle, Madrid first threatened from a set-piece when James delivered an outswinging free-kick and Javier Hernandez, who had been introduced for Bale, produced a powerful header to force visiting keeper Carlos Kameni into an acrobatic save.

Before long another set-piece broke the deadlock as Ronaldo was fouled on the left wing and fizzed a bullet of a free-kick to the far post where Ramos – quite possibly offside – was left unmarked to convert a smart cushioned volley from close range.

The goal settled Madrid, who were able to establish domination of possession and came close to a second goal when Ronaldo nodded down on the edge of the box for James, who showed great technique to strike a difficult left-footed shot which Kameni saved well to his right.

But the final chance of the first half fell to Malaga, and it was a glorious one as Juanmi’s cut back cross deflected to Sergi Darder, who was just 10 yards out and had the whole goal to aim for but badly miskicked his shot well off target.

The visitors made the better start to the second half, with the everlively Amrabat firing a dangerous ball low across the face of goal.

With Modric replaced, Madrid were struggling to control the midfield and needed a good block from Tony Kroos when a well-worked corner was fired goalwards by Arthur Boka.

Just as they were coming under increasing pressure, Los Blancos earned a great chance for a second goal midway through the second period when Ronaldo broke and found James, who was fouled inside the box by Samu Castillejo. Ronaldo took the spot-kick but his firm low strike crashed against the left upright.

Two minutes later James did succeed in doubling the advantage, breaking inside at speed from the right wing and playing one-twos with Isco and then Ronaldo before firing a fierce curling left-footed strike past Kameni, who will be disappointed not to have made a save after getting his hand on the ball.

However, the dramatic burst of action continued as Roberto Rosales escaped down the right wing and delivered a pinpoint cross into the stride of Juanmi, who sent a powerful downward header past Casillas to get Malaga back into the game.

After a few nervy moments, Madrid wrapped up the points when Hernandez did well down the right and crossed for Ronaldo to score from two yards.