Football NewsGareth Bale and James Rodriguez were left out of the Real Madrid team
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The Wales star was not named in the travel group of 24. But captain Sergio Ramos is included, who is suspended for the last 16-second leg. Rodriguez has also been sidelined along with striker Mariano Diaz. He has been tested positive for the previous week’s coronavirus and has been in self-isolation.

 

Bale and Rodriguez are out of the Real Madrid squad

Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez were left out of the Real Madrid team for the Champions League match to Manchester City, the club revealed on Wednesday. The Wales star was not named in the travel group of 24. But captain Sergio Ramos was included, who is suspended for the last 16-second leg. Rodriguez has also been sidelined along with striker Mariano Diaz. He has been tested positive for the previous week’s coronavirus and has been in self-isolation. Eden Hazard is in the team despite concerns about his fitness following an ankle injury. While Luka Jovic, who only started one Champions League game for Madrid, is also included. Madrid are trailing 2-1 from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Isco’s goal for the Spanish side surpassing the finishes from Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne.

Not the best time for Bale’s career

Bale’s stock under head coach Zinedine Zidane appears to have tumbled to its lowest point in 2020. With the former Tottenham striker only playing twice since the Spanish season resumed in June. Team-mate Casemiro insisted this week that Bale still has Madrid’s coaches and players’ support, despite going through “not the best time of his career”. The Brazilian midfielder added that he believes Bale is among the top three players in the world when at his game. Despite having only 20 appearances in all competitions this season. Bale has caused some concern in Spain for his attitude on the sidelines in recent weeks. He often sounded boring during games and was far from some of the title celebrations when Madrid were crowned champions last month.

However, his agent Jonathan Barnett told reporters that the player “likes to live in Madrid and is going nowhere” and is keen to see the remaining two years. Meanwhile, Rodriguez has also played a limited role for Real Madrid this season, returning to the club for the 2019-20 campaign after two years on loan with Bayern Munich. The Colombian star has made just 14 appearances in all competitions this season. He scored one goal, with only eight of those appearances in LaLiga.