Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has defended both Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez after the pair left before the end of the game with Real Betis.
Zidane watched as his men were held to a 0-0 draw on Saturday, but that allowed them to move level on points with arch-rivals Barcelona.
Although Bale and Rodriguez watched the game from the stands, Madrid still had plenty of quality players out on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Luka Modric, Eden Hazard, Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Karim Benzema all started, but Real dropped points for the fifth time in 11 league matches to miss the chance to go above their arch rivals, who had earlier been beaten 3-1 by Levante, and Madrid’s fans have hit out after seeing Bale and Rodriguez leave the ground early.
Bale has been criticised for his ‘lack of commitment’, but Zidane says he has no problems with his actions.
He told reporters: “I don’t think it’s a lack of respect at all. Both players were here before the game to cheer on their team-mates, that’s the most important thing.”
Bale has now not played for Madrid since suffering an injury in the 1-1 draw against Croatia on October 13, while playing for Wales. He was seen in London last month, with reports claiming he met with his agent to discuss a move to China.
Chinese club Jiangsu Suning tried to sign him in the summer, with Bale offered a whopping £1million-a-week deal.
He is not expected to return in time for Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Galatasaray, before Madrid travel to Eibar on Saturday.
Zidane’s men face Paris Saint-Germain later this month in Europe, and the former Tottenham man will be doing all he can to return for the mouth-watering clash on home soil.
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