Fansided

Gareth Bale a doubt for Champions League final

By James Dudko

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 30: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid warms up during a training session at Valdebebas training ground on May 30, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 30: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid warms up during a training session at Valdebebas training ground on May 30, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale may not be fit enough to start Saturday’s Champions League final against Juventus in Cardiff.

Gareth Bale has admitted he many not be fit enough to start the Champions League final in his hometown of Cardiff on Saturday. The Wales international and Real Madrid star has been recovering from ankle ligament surgery, but could miss out as Los Blancos take on Juventus, according to Sid Lowe of the Guardian:

"Real Madrid’s Cardiff-born forward admitted that he returned too soon after surgery on an ankle ligament injury sustained in November and that he is not yet fully fit. He said that he was prepared to play a substitute’s role in Saturday’s match with Juventus at the Millennium Stadium, after six months of suffering."

Specifically, Bale revealed he is concerned about lasting the full 90 minutes, per Lowe:

"I am not 100%: 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."

Not being able to play would obviously be bitter blow for Bale, who is chasing a third Champions League trophy in four years with Real. He scored a critical goal in 2014’s extra-time win over Atletico Madrid, a finish that helped justify the then-world record fee he cost Los Merengues in 2013.

However, Bale’s fortunes have dipped since, despite playing in a second win over local rivals Atleti in last season’s Champions League, this one on penalties. Yet consistent injuries have laid Bale low this season, and in his stead, Isco has emerged as a popular replacement alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Next: 25 best club soccer teams of all time

The former Malaga man has been outstanding in the final third, scoring 11 goals and supplying eight assists, per WhoScored.com. Bale admitted to Lowe how Isco could get the nod from manager Zinedine Zidane against Juve in Cardiff.

Zidane could also choose from Colombian No. 10 James Rodriguez or winger Lucas Vazquez. Even so, Real would surely love to have Bale’s electric pace, direct running and aerial power to torment a Juventus defense that’s the best-drilled in Europe.

Home/Champions League