GARETH BALE CAN be Real Madrid’s trump card against Juventus if he brings his A-game to the Champions League semi-final, says Roy Keane.

The Welsh forward, made the most expensive ever player by Real Madrid in 2013, was widely criticised for his performance against Max Allegri’s side as Madrid lost the first leg 2-1.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men need a big performance if they are to book a place in the final against Barcelona but Keane still believes that Bale can make the difference.

“There’s no doubting his talent,” the ex-Manchester United midfielder told ITV Sport.

“We’ve seen him do it before. We’ve seen him do it last year in the big, big games. If Gareth is at it [on Wednesday] night, then they’ve got a chance … that’s if he turns up. He’s a top player.”

Keane’s old United team-mate, Paul Scholes, however, warns that the Wales international would play right into Juventus’s hands if he produces more of the same.

Scholes remarked: “We just want to see him more positive. We know the talent he’s got, the pace and power he possesses.

“[In the first leg], his confidence looked low. He kept whipping the ball in. It was easy for the Italian defenders. If he’s like that [in the second leg], they will love that. They’ll eat that up all day long.

“I’d like to see him more positive. Take his man on. Shots on goal.”

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