Zinedine Zidane, we should point out, knows a thing or two about winning a Champions League final.
Real Madrid manager for two and a bit years, he has finished each season in charge of the club by winning a European Cup. Should they beat Liverpool in Kiev tonight, he’ll do it for a third time. Not bad going really.
Despite this, plenty felt he’d made a significant error in his team selection for the big game by deciding not to start Gareth Bale.
The Welshman has struggled to hold down a place in Real’s team this year, but a strong finish was enough to convince many – including MARCA – that he’d be starting in Kiev.
It was not to be. When Real’s team news was published, it revealed that Bale started on the bench, Zidane favouring Karim Benzema as a starter.
📋 Our starting XI for the final!#APorLa13 | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/b0mBY51Iff
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 26, 2018
The decision came as a surprise to many…
Bale should be starting 😭😭😭😭
— Nerdydreams (@Nerdydreams_) May 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/ydeencole/status/1000436317656899584
No Gareth Bale in tonights game is a massive mistake… #RealMadrid
— Jake Smith (@JakeBeanieSmith) May 26, 2018
I pray Ronaldo saves us again despite Zidane trying to sabotage us. Imagine not starting Bale who's been on fire in a 4-3-3 formation
— Meds 🇨🇦🇵🇹 (@Meds_____) May 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/3ptperfection/status/1000430324713635841
Benzema over bale in that starting line up is criminal, ah well #HalaMadrid
— Danny Beach (@dannybeach_10) May 26, 2018
If Real do defeat Liverpool, it will be their 13th title and fourth in their last five seasons.
