Gareth Bale performance slammed by Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Lee Dixon: 'His team-mates can't be happy'

Welshman 'took the easy option every time' in Champions League semi-final first leg defeat for Real Madrid

Simon Rice
Wednesday 06 May 2015 11:03 BST
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Roy Keane launched a stinging attack on Gareth Bale's performance following Real Madrid's Champions League defeat to Juventus.

The reigning champions were beaten 2-1 in the first-leg of their semi-final and are now up against it to reach next month's final.

Bale cut an peripheral figure for much of the match, with statistics showing the former Tottenham player had fewer touches and passes than all of his team-mates - even goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

In his analysis of the game for ITV Sport, former Manchester United midfielder Keane didn't hold back.

"Gareth Bale gave them absolutely nothing tonight," he said.

"You say a lack of confidence from Bale but he kept making the easy decision.

"The reason he's at Real Madrid is to be brave and get at people. Every time he got at people, even on one-v-ones, he turned back.

"His team-mates can't be happy with him because he took the easy option every time."

Fellow analysts Paul Scholes and Lee Dixon concurred with Keane's view.

"Bale never once got the ball down and tried to take his man on," said Scholes. "It was just a step to the side and whip it in, but Juventus headed everything away - it was easy for them."

Dixon said: "I thought he was really poor."

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