Liga Reaction: Del Bosque Rues Hierro Injury

Fernando Hierro could be out for six weeks after twisting his knee during Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Real Betis on Saturday.

The 34-year-old limped out of the action after 74 minutes and the signs were not good.

"Fernando is a vital player for us and it looks as though we will have to do without him for some time," coach Vicente Del Bosque explained afterwards.

The Madrid captain looks certain to miss his team's Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund next week.

Del Bosque was delighted with his side's result though, after goals from Raul, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo cancelled out Fernando's opener for Betis.

"There was a great deal at stake for us, because we were playing against a very strong team," he explained.

"We pushed forward more in the second half and that enabled us to take up better positions in attack and that is when we began to show our superiority."

"This victory is only one match though. The season is very long and we are ready for an intense fight, not only with Real Sociedad, bit also with the teams below us."