Man City vs Real Madrid: Gareth Bale left out of Zidane's squad for Champions League tie

Bale has fallen out of favour with Zidane
AFP via Getty Images
Ben Hayward5 August 2020

Gareth Bale has been left out of Real Madrid’s squad for Friday night’s crunch Champions League last-16 second leg game at Manchester City.

The Welsh winger has made only two appearances and just one start since lockdown and was not called up at all for Los Blancos’ final LaLiga game of the season.

Coach Zinedine Zidane described the 31-year-old’s absence against Leganes as a “technical decision”, yet there had been a free space in the squad available for the trip to Butarque.

Bale is not included on Zidane's 24-man list for the match at the Etihad Stadium on Friday, which could be Madrid’s last of the 2020-21 season as they seek to overcome a 2-1 first-leg deficit to advance to the final phase of the competition in Lisbon next week.

The exclusion of the former Tottenham attacker, who has played in four Champions League finals for Real, is a fresh blow for the Welshman and an indication that the club are keen for him to leave this summer.

Bale has two years remaining on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and the player’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, recently said his client would be happy to stay in Spain until his deal expires.

Zidane has included eight forwards in his squad for the City game, with Luka Jovic, Brahim Diaz and Lucas Vazquez all preferred to Bale.

Captain Sergio Ramos does travel with his team-mates, even though he is suspended and will not be able to play in Manchester.

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