Ancelotti: The Real players like Bale
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Carlo Ancelotti insists Gareth Bale has no intention of leaving Real Madrid amid suggestions the Wales international is frustrated by how things are going for him.
Bale has come under fire from sections of the media and also the Merengue fans for some of his performances this season, including in the wake of last week's UEFA Champions League semi-final, first-leg defeat to Juventus. That has led to Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett coming out in defence of his client, telling the Telegraph that the former Spurs star has yet to show his full potential this term because he has not been given enough of the ball by his team-mates.
"These people have never seen a training session. They don't know what it's like in a dressing room. They speak from outside."
Carlo Ancelotti on people suggesting there's unrest between Gareth Bale and his Real Madrid team-mates
As more and more speculation links Bale with a summer move - especially those involving Manchester United - Barnett's comments again bring into question the world-record signing's desire to continue in Spain. However, Ancelotti, who oversaw Bale's first season at Real, culminating in a tenth Champions League crown for the club, feels Barnett would be better off keeping his mouth shut.
At his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's semi-final second leg against Juventus, Ancelotti said: "I spoke with [Bale] a lot of times. He is really happy to stay here.
"I don't understand what his agent said. It could be better to not speak. But we are used to it, in this world, where a lot of people speak and sometimes, speak too much.
"Bale has no problem with his colleagues. His colleagues have no problem with him. They like Gareth Bale and he likes his colleagues. There is one word too many perhaps from outside."
As if to prove Ancelotti's point, Bale's team-mate James Rodriguez added at the same press conference: "I didn't see what was said, it's the first time I've heard it. We all want to play with him. Cristiano, Chicarito... we're all a team and we have to be united. You can't speculate on what is said outside. We all have to be focused."
Bale has been a regular in the Real side this season, although he last scored for them back in early April in the 9-1 win over Granada, where Cristiano Ronaldo got four goals.
Ancelotti, who will hope Los Merengues can overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg against Juventus, said of the £85m man: "I think Bale's played a very good season. Last year he scored in important games and scored in all the finals. With any luck he could do same this year.
"But outside of this world where people speak, sometimes they speak too much. These people have never seen a training session. They don't know what it's like in a dressing room. They speak from outside."