ZZ: Bale not sad

ZINEDINE ZIDANE has dismissed the suggestion that Gareth Bale may be unhappy at Real Madrid.

The Welshman, who is likely to be on the bench tonight, was a then worldrecord acquisition from Tottenham when he moved to the Bernabeu in 2013.

But almost five years later questions are being asked about his future in Spain. Injuries have seen his game time restricted this season and last.

Real coach Zidane, however, scotched talk of Bale being disenchanted.

“Bale is not a sad player here,” he said. “I believe he is happy to be at this club.

“He has shown he is important in this team.”