The knives are out for Gareth Bale after his subdued display for Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final against Juventus on Tuesday.
The Welshman had just 32 touches in the 85 minutes he spent on the pitch, and failed to register a single shot at goal, either on or off target. The statistics also show he attempted only 18 passes, fewer than any other Real Madrid player that started the match, including goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Unsurprisingly it was ITV's attack dog pundit Roy Keane who led the criticism. "It is very difficult when you are playing with 10 men as Gareth Bale did not show up," he said after the match. He accused the winger of refusing to take on defenders. "He took the easy option every time," he said.
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Other pundits also weighed in. Paul Scholes agreed with his former Man United and ITV colleague Keane, while another ex-United man, Philp Neville, told the BBC: "Bale looked short on confidence... Normally he would turn and run straight at the defender, but instead he would turn out and pass it back. That is not the Bale we know."
Fellow BBC expert Pat Nevin suggested that Bale was still having problems playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and said the pair had "absolutely no understanding whatsoever". The broadcaster also notes that Bale was criticised in the Spanish press, although a dire performance from Sergio Ramos helped deflect some of the criticism.
The Welsh winger looked "far from fit" says Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph. "And on the few occasions he did gain possession he disappeared down a cul-de-sac."
And his performance was in stark contrast to that of his opposite number says The Times. "Arturo Vidal was outstanding behind the front two, demonstrating an effervescence and energy that Gareth Bale, in particular, conspicuously lacked," writes Matt Hughes.
It could be the end for Bale in Spain, suggests the Daily Mail. "He has been given a rough ride by critics in Spain this season, often without good cause and after a brilliant first campaign in which he scored winning goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals. And he can now expect a further backlash from supporters that could send him into the arms of a Premier League suitor this summer."
The paper notes that he even had his car attacked by supporters earlier in the season. "Bale and the club remain clear in public that he will be a Real Madrid player next season but Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are all monitoring his situation and will be encouraged by the constant criticism he has received in Spain this season."
