Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari bemoaned Gareth Bale's latest injury after the Welshman had to be substituted at half-time during Thursday's 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
Despite going behind to a Santi Cazorla goal in the fourth minute at El Madrigal, Real were in control of the game by the break thanks to headed goals from Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane.
They failed to land the knockout blow in Bale's absence and were eventually pegged back to 2-2 by Cazorla's second in the 82nd minute.
Solari said after the match that Bale's absence played a key role as Villarreal could be more confident with their pressing game as they did not fear the counter-attack so much, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:
"We had the victory in our hand and wanted to kill the game.