Gareth Bale’s future at Real Madrid was in doubt before Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Juventus. Now, it looks there’s only going to be one outcome.
Through a combination of injuries and the excellent form of other Madrid players such as Isco and Marco Asensio, Bale has lost his place as a guaranteed starter over the past year and a half. The Welsh forward didn’t start last season’s Champions League final victory over Juventus in Cardiff, and he hasn’t been a regular even when fit this season.
With Madrid three goals up from the first-leg against the Italian champions, Zinedine Zidane opted to start Bale at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening. However, it didn’t go to plan at all. The 29-year-old forward was, like the rest of his teammates, poor in the opening 45 minutes as Juventus mounted an incredible comeback.
Bale only had 24 touches of the ball and only completed 11 of 16 passes.
He looked a shadow of the explosive player who excelled during his first year in Madrid, and was hooked off at half-time.
🔥🔥 Gareth Bale 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/uf1Fq3wsBB
— Fachalás (@Fachista__) April 11, 2018
With Madrid reportedly planning an overhaul of their squad, Bale could be on his way out of the club, and he did little to help his cause during his lacklustre first-half in a massive game.
