This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
Real Madrid's Champions League campaign against Manchester City has taken an interesting turn, with Gareth Bale being left out of the squad.
Los Blancos have announced a 24-man traveling party, which includes Eden Hazard, but Bale's name is noticeably absent.
As the Spanish champions look to overturn a 2-1 deficit at the Etihad, Zinedine Zidane has opted not to include the Welshman in his squad.
Despite being a potential match-winner, Bale was never likely to start, but his exclusion from the squad has raised eyebrows, especially considering the inclusion of other forwards like Brahim Diaz and Luka Jovic.
Real Madrid's squad for the Manchester City clash includes:
- Goalkeepers: Courtois, Areola, Altube
- Defenders: Carvajal, Militia, Ramos, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Mendy, Hernandez
- Midfielders: Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde, Isco
- Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Vazquez, Jovic, Asensio, Brahim, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo
It's worth noting that Bale has been left out of the squad for several games, including the final game of the season against Leganes.
His relationship with Zidane continues to sour, and it's unclear what the future holds for the Welshman at Real Madrid.
