This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale made a surprise return to the squad on Sunday, coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw against Roma in the Stadio Olimpico.
Despite being left out of the team's previous three friendlies, Bale played for the last half an hour and had two chances to win the game for Madrid, firing into the side-netting and then just wide in the 92nd minute.
Coach Zinedine Zidane was asked about Bale's return and a potential move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar, but he refused to comment on the latter, saying, "We are here with the squad that we have and we are only thinking about that."
It remains to be seen if Bale will be included in Zidane's squad for Real Madrid's season opener against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Madrid's display against Roma was one of their better showings of a patchy pre-season, which has seen them register two wins, two draws, and three defeats after normal time.
