Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti declares Gareth Bale, David Alaba available to play vs Liverpool in UCL final
Speaking in an interview as quoted by the Daily Mail, Carlo Ancelotti revealed that both Gareth Bale and David Alaba will be available for selection against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final next weekend.
The Welshman is clearly not part of Ancelotti’s first-team plans and is out of contract in the summer. Bale may not be in his peak years but he still possesses the ability to make things happen in the final third.
His loan spell at Spurs under Jose Mourinho is a good example of it. Bale, along with a few of his Madrid teammates, will tie Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most UCL final appearances if he plays against the Reds in Paris.
“Bale wanted to say goodbye and play tonight if he was fine. He has one last chance as he will be fine for the final.”
Bale to play vs LFC?
Apart from claiming that Bale was ‘fine’ for the final against the Reds, the ex-Everton and AC Milan boss has also clarified that David Alaba is back from his injury and available for the showdown against Jurgen Klopp’s side on 28th May. He told Marca via Football-Espana (h/t Daily Mail):
“Alaba is going to be there to play in the final but it wasn’t necessary to take risks tonight. He’s going to play, 100 percent.”
Alaba joined Los Blancos from Bayern Munich and has filled in well for Raphael Varane, who in turn left for Manchester United last summer. Bale, meanwhile, has evidently lost his spot in the Madrid starting XI.
Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo were Ancelotti’s trusted pairing down the wings and we could see the Brazilian duo partner Karim Benzema in Madrid’s attack next weekend. Liverpool fans would also remember what happened the last time Bale played in a European final against them.
He scored a bicycle kick and a long-range shot past Loris Karius to help Madrid win 3-1 in the 2018 UCL final. With a record for joint-most appearances in a UCL final on the line, it won’t be a surprise to see the ex-Southampton star take the field against us.
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Alaba, going by Ancelotti’s comments above, looks like he is sure to start in the all-important European final. The Reds have six European Cup/Champions League titles to their name while Los Galacticos are chasing number 14.
