Ridiculous stat shows Gareth Bale’s negative impact at Real Madrid

There's no doubting Gareth Bale's talent, but might Real Madrid be better off without the Welshman?

For all his positive contributions in La Liga and the Champions League, especially in the 2014 Decima-clinching final, it seems the Spanish giants perform better when the 26-year-old is not involved. Spanish publication AS, who tore into Bale for his decision to play for Wales against Andorra, have worked out that Los Merengues have lost 10 times him on the pitch in 63 outings, compared to just once in 29 games without him. The only defeat suffered without Bale came at the end of the 2013/14 season, when a weakened side featuring the likes of Casemiro and Alvaro Morata lost 2-0 to Celta Vigo. In contrast, last season's La Liga reverses against Atletico Madrid (twice), Valencia, Barcelona, Athletic Club and Real Sociedad all featured Bale. The former Tottenham man started all six, even scoring away at the Anoeta as Real Sociedad came from 2-0 down to beat Carlo Ancelotti's team 4-2. It brings back memories of Bale's early days in North London, where he was considered a curse by some after taking more than 20 games to record his first Spurs win.