Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists the limited playing time given to forward Gareth Bale is purely from a tactical viewpoint.
The Welshman was introduced with just ten minutes remaining during Monday’s 1-1 draw at Leganes – the latest indication that his time at Los Blancos could be coming to an end.
“You can ask me anything you want, you can ask me the same thing every day and I will tell you the exact same thing every time,” Zidane told reporters on Monday, as cited by Diario AS.
“Gareth is part of the entire first-team squad…I don’t know how many matches he has played (since Zidane’s return) – three matches, or maybe four?
“Tonight, I wanted to make a substitution, to change the attack, just like when Lucas Vazquez came on with 15 minutes or so remaining.
“We know its difficult for players to be introduced into a match like that but the substitutions are meant to have a positive impact on the match and that’s that.”
