Madrid defender Pepe injures leg two weeks before new season

MADRID --

Real Madrid defender Pepe has injured his right leg two weeks before his team's first game of the season.

Madrid says Pepe injured a muscle in his right leg during its 1-0 loss at Bayern Munich in a friendly on Wednesday.

Madrid was also missing stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema for that preseason match.

Ronaldo is expected to recover from back pain soon, but a right thigh injury has left Benzema also in doubt for the Spanish league opener on Aug. 23 at promoted club Sporting Gijon.