Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale admitted Tuesday he is
not completely fit ahead of Saturday's UEFA Champions League final with Juventus.
Per the Independent's Miguel Delaney, the
Welshman spoke of the struggles he's had with his ankle this year:
"I am not 100 per cent. I haven't played
for six or seven weeks. I obviously had my operation which still really hasn't
recovered.
"If I'm called upon to start, I will start
obviously. But to last 90 minutes. I haven't played a lot of football this year
since my operation, so that would be difficult.
"Isco has been playing fantastically well
for us, at the end of the season, so whatever the manager decides, I will
[accept it]."
Bale has struggled slightly with injuries over the last two
seasons, and his current ankle ailment must be frustrating for both the player
and the club. However, he has not been at his usual standard while on
the pitch this season, so it could be a blessing in disguise for the team if
he's not in the starting lineup.
Real have largely been better with the likes of Isco or even Marco
Asensio in the side, so Bale's potential absence would free up a spot for one
of them to play, most likely the former.
The Welshman is a world-class operator capable of making a
decisive contribution for the side, but while he's out of form, Los Blancos
might be better with him starting on the sidelines.
If manager Zinedine
Zidane does opt for Isco, Bale could still be a strong
option off the bench.
No comments:
Post a Comment