GARETH BALE HAS to settle for a place on the bench for Real Madrid’s Champions League final against Juventus tonight.
Isco has been preferred in the starting XI with the Welsh international not fully match fit having had an injury-ridden season.
There has been much debate over which of the two players would start prior to the match, with the tide gradually switching in favour of the Spanish midfielder in recent times.
Despite playing an important role in Real’s two previous Champions League-winning campaigns since joining the club from Tottenham in 2013, Bale has struggled for form and fitness this season with Isco flourishing in his absence.
Many critics believe Real play better as a team with Isco in the side, while as far back as last April, Madrid sports daily Marca called for the exclusion of the Welshman from the side.
According to Sky Sports’ Guillem Balague, key members of the Real squad expressed a preference for Isco rather than Bale playing from the start.
Meanwhile, there has been renewed speculation today that Bale could leave Madrid in the summer.
Man United are understood to be still keen on the star having been linked with him on and off since his Tottenham days, and according to The Independent, Real are willing to listen to offers as they bid to raise funds for the potential purchase of either Chelsea’s Eden Hazard or Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe.
Gareth Bale will be on the bench. Isco will start. Four man midfield for Real Madrid was preferred by key members of squad pic.twitter.com/zauZDHWjt8
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) June 3, 2017
📝✅ #APorLa12#RealMadrid XI 🏃 🆚 @juventusfc
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 3, 2017
💪 ¡VAMOS! 💪@adidasfootball #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/yA21lTX4YH
Champions League final team sheet pic.twitter.com/RDcx3cYkT1
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) June 3, 2017
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