CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Bale or Isco? Zidane must decided for Champions League final
Real’s record signing Bale is fit again, but Spain midfielder Isco has thrived in his absence
Madrid — Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday he would not be swayed by popular opinion in his selection dilemma over whether to play Gareth Bale or Isco in the Champions League final against Juventus on Saturday. Real’s record signing Bale has not played since injuring his groin against Barcelona on April23 but is fit and available for the final in his home city of Cardiff after returning to training last Friday. However, the feeling in the Spanish media is Spain midfielder Isco, who has thrived in Bale’s absence, scoring five goals and notching three assists in his past eight games, deserves a starting berth over the injury-prone Wales international. Zidane has proved fiercely loyal to Bale, whose fourth season with Real has been blighted by a serious ankle injury and recurring muscle problems and said only he would decide who makes the starting line-up. "It’s normal that there’s this debate, they’re both very important players and everyone can give their opinion, but...
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