Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane, has revealed why Gareth Bale was left out of the club’s squad to Audi Cup in Germany.
The Frenchman said the winger didn’t travel with the team after doctors advised that he should be excluded.
The Welshman’s big-money move to China fell through over the weekend, but his manager has said this was not the reason he was missing from the team, which reports had suggested.
But it now looks like the former Spurs’ winger would stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid suffered their third defeat in four winless pre-season outings on Tuesday, when they lost to Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the Audio Cup at the Allianz Arena.
Harry Kane scored the only goal in the 22nd minute. It could have been worse for Zidane’s side, had it not been for the heroics of Keylor Navas.
“Bale did not travel as he was not feeling good,” Zidane told reporters after the match.
“Speaking with the doctors it was better to stay in Madrid and train there. That’s it. It’s a decision taken together, speaking with him. That’s it.”
Zidane was also reluctant to clarity the future of James Rodriguez; another player surplus to requirements under the coach. F
However, he said he is positive about his team’s poor performances from players who are part of his plans.
“I always think positively. I know it is difficult, we are coming off a tough season and Madridistas might not think it but we have a great team.
“We are not ready yet but we will pick up confidence and play and come out of this. We just need to win a game,” he added.
The few highlights of the game for Real was Navas’ performance. He replaced Thibaut Courtois, who sprained his ankle after conceding five first-half goals in the 7-3 thrashing in the hands of Atletico Madrid last weekend.
“Keylor played a great game, that’s it,” Zidane added. “What Thibaut said [about being number one] we’d have to see.
“There are no automatic starters here. We’re all in the same team, and all must be prepared,” Zidane further stated.
Hosts, Bayern Munich, thumped Fenerbahce 5-1 in the other game of the four-team tournament.
