Gareth Bale's performance at Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal has drawn criticism, but it won't be enough to force him out of Real Madrid.
According to the Mirror, the Welshman is determined to prove that he can reign in Spain. Manchester United and Chelsea are both reportedly interested in his services, but are increasingly wasting their efforts. The rumors linking him to a return to England will prove to be an exercise in futility.
"Why would he look to go elsewhere? Real Madrid are the number one club in the world," said Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett (via Sky Sports). "There's always interest in him, but as far as we are concerned, he'll be at Real Madrid next summer."
On one side of the coin, the criticisms aimed at Bale are fair.
In Tuesday's 2-1 loss in Turin, the 25-year-old touched the ball 32 times, failing to take a single shot on target, nor create a scoring opportunity. Being deployed as a center-forward in a 4-4-2, a role often utilized by Karim Benzema and Javier Hernandez, had some part to play in said performance. Many viewed Carlo Ancelotti's decision to sub him off in the 85th minute as an attempt to protect him, something the Real Madrid boss readily dismissed.
"He's just back from injury and he's too important for us," Ancelotti said. "He's our most dangerous player. Because he was tired, I just preferred not to take any risks, so I took him off."
On the other side of the coin, despite a tumultuous sophomore campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bale is still the man responsible for two match-winners in 2014: the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona and the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid.
He rose to the occasion when it mattered most. An opportunity he'll have on Tuesday in the return leg of the Champions League semifinals.
An opportunity he'll be determined to take advantage of.
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