Welshman won’t be leaving the Bernabeu anytime soon.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has moved to bring an end to incessant speculation linking Gareth Bale with a Bernabeu exit.
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Ancelotti is quoted by Goal.com extolling the virtues of the former Tottenham man ahead of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey encounter with minnows Cornella.
“It seems like many have forgotten that Gareth Bale scored in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals [last season],”
“He is equally important as James Rodriguez and Isco.”
“It’s a lie that Bale couldn’t play three consecutive matches. He just has a small injury.”
Ancelotti then went on to confirm that Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Iker Casillas, Toni Kroos and Sergio Ramos would all be rested for Wednesday night’s game against third-tier Cornella.
“My starting XI against Cornella will be Keylor [Navas], [Alvaro] Arbeloa, [Dani] Carvajal, [Raphael] Varane, Nacho, James, [Sami] Khedira, Illarra, Isco, Chicharito and [Karim] Benzema.”
Bale netted 22 goals in his debut season in the Spanish capital and played a key role in Real Madrid’s successes though the arrival of James Rodriguez and resurgence of Isco will surely lead the 25 year old not being a guaranteed starter.