Sports
Bale caught on camera laughing at Hazard after he was sent back to bench in Real Madrid defeat
Gareth Bale couldn’t help but laugh as his Real Madrid team-mate Eden Hazard was sent back to the bench despite warming up towards the end of their 1-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao..
The £150million flop had hoped for a late salvo to help Los Blancos overcome the Basque outfit in the quarter-finals of the competition after being told to prepare himself down the touchline by boss Carlo Ancelotti.
But he suffered the ignominy of trudging back to the dugout in his training bib – bringing a chuckle out of Welshman Bale sitting on the bench in front of him.
Bale was also an unused substitute in the game and hasn’t had the best of fortunes for Madrid either – failing to play a match for them since August – making just three appearances all season long.
The clip was revealed by Spanish TV station El Chiringuito – who has previously been heavily critical of both Hazard and Bale over their performances and commitment to life in Madrid.
Ancelotti sent Hazard back to the bench in the 75th minute of the game – opting to bring on teenager Eduardo Camavinga instead just moments later for Toni Kroos.
He made just two subs – earlier introducing Isco for Vinicius Jr – but neither alteration made a difference as Madrid struggled to break down the hosts, who eventually scored a dramatic late winner through Alex Berenguer to seal their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
Both Bale and Hazard have had their fitness issues this season – though the latter has managed to play far more games, featuring 18 times and scoring once.
However, Ancelotti hinted that both of them could start this game in midweek after being encouraged by their fitness levels in training.
Bale’s contract will expire this summer and looks certain to leave after a fractious relationship with Madrid, the fans and the media. He hit back at claims he had loss muscle mass after a report in the Spanish press appeared to show he had lean legs, but he showed a similar photo displaying his ripped quadraceps.
Hazard, meanwhile, has two years left on his contract but has been strongly linked with an exit – with Newcastle mooted as a possible destination in January.
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