Gareth Bale laughs at Eden Hazard after he’s told to sit on the bench despite warming up

Daniel Brown

Bale couldn’t help but laugh at Hazard

Gareth Bale was caught laughing at teammate Eden Hazard after the Belgian was sent back to the bench while warming up for the entire second half during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey clash on Thursday.

Both Bale and Hazard and unused substitutes as Madrid exited the competition following a 1-0 defeat to Athletic Club.

The Welshman has made just three appearances for Los Blancos this season, and while Hazard had featured on 18 occasions, just nine have come as a starter.

During Madrid’s tie against Athletic, the former Chelsea man was warming up for the whole of the second half until manager Carlo Ancelotti told him to sit back on the bench, with his services evidently not required.

While Hazard looked frustrated at the request, Bale couldn’t stop himself from laughing at the situation – grinning from ear to ear as the 31-year-old returned to the dugout.

Gareth Bale laughing at Eden Hazard after Hazard was sent back to the bench in the 2nd half even though he's been warming up for 30 minutes 😔
Ancelotti is a beast pic.twitter.com/ag1tpIDP01

— IFEANYICHUKWU ☢️ (@Myka_veli) February 4, 2022

Speaking after the game, Ancelotti was asked whether Bale and Hazard were being punished.

As per Marca, he said: “Kroos went off due to fatigue, like Vinicius. I was thinking about changes for extra time and there was no time.

“Punished players? I have nothing to say. There are no penalised players. Ceballos, Vallejo… didn’t play either.

“They are at the same level as the others who didn’t play. We have to be fair.”

Ancelotti’s side were dumped out of the competition when Berenguer Remiro scored in the 89th minute – which means that Marcelino García Toral’s side have now knocked out both Barcelona and Madrid.

Berenguer wins the game in the 88th minute against Real Madrid.

Check out the crowd's reaction. pic.twitter.com/6lZTr6DSPD

— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 3, 2022