Real Madrid: We shouldn’t be surprised Gareth Bale isn’t in the squad
By Ben Sundock
The big news on Wednesday out of the Ciudad de Real Madrid was that forward Gareth Bale had been left out of the 24-man squad that will travel to Manchester tomorrow. At this point, we shouldn’t be surprised.
Gareth Bale spent nine of the 11 La Liga matches after the restart on the bench and for the all important Champions League round of 16 meeting with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Bale will remain in Madrid.
The two outcasts under Zinedine Zidane this season have been Bale and James Rodriguez – who also didn’t make the traveling squad list – and it is abundantly clear that the two former world class players no longer have a place at the Santiago Bernabeu and are doing nothing more than taking up a roster spot.
📋 Our 24-man squad for the match against @ManCity!#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/ybR3uqQDyP
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 5, 2020
It is hard to believe that in just a couple of years a player can go from a hero to a failure, but unfortunately, that is just how it looks for the Welsh international.
Casemiro has voiced his unwavering support for Gareth this week, saying in an interview, “He’s working. He knows it’s not the best time in his career, but he has our support, that of the coach and of the club.”
"“He’s very important for us, he can spring a surprise at any time and he’s already shown that. He’s a decisive player who scores goals in Champions League finals.”"
Neutral fans usually agree with what Casemiro is saying because they remember the Gareth Bale of 2014 who won Real Madrid the Copa del Rey and scored the deciding goal in extra time against Atletico Madrid.
It’s understandable to think that Real Madrid is screwing Bale over if those are the memories fresh in your head. However, watching the number 11 of last season and this season, it is clear he no longer has that same desire to represent The Whites.
I bet the club board are sitting together talking about how bad a decision it was to let the Welsh player stay rather than leave the club on a free transfer to go to China. Now, as Bale and his agent have made very clear, the weekly wage and benefits he receives at Real Madrid motivates him to stay until his contract runs out.
It shows that the player is in it all for the money, but with the way things are with Zidane right now, can you really blame him?
Next. Three big tactical predictions vs. Manchester City. dark
Those out there who consider Gareth Bale’s omission from the traveling squad as news have clearly not been paying attention. In such an important game for both Real Madrid and Man City, the last thing anyone wants is one of Real’s most expensive players sitting on the bench pretending to sleep.
He was bound to be left on the bench regardless of the five substitute rule change and Zizou was smart to just leave him at home. Best avoid the headache and the questions now, right Zinedine?!