Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has sprung to the defence of Gareth Bale after the Welshman was criticised for his individualism at the weekend.
Bale took some stick in the Spanish media after spurning the opportunity to pass to the better-placed Karim Benzema with the scores level in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Valencia at Mestalla.
However, Ancelotti has come out and publicly defended the former Tottenham Hotspur man, confirming he will start Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game against Atletico Madrid.
“I saw the move and it wasn’t easy to pass. He didn’t have any room and made the right decision to take the shot on,” the Italian told reporters.
“The players know if they can pass the ball then they should do so. The reason he didn’t was that he didn’t have any space.
“Bale is not a selfish player. If he is under any pressure because of the transfer fee we paid then that’s a positive thing,” he insisted.
