Rob Page has rallied behind Gareth Bale after his talismanic captain was labelled a ‘parasite’ by the Spanish press for missing Real Madrid’s El Clasico drubbing.
Bale was absent for Real's 4-0 defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona last month, with Carlo Ancelotti suggesting the attacker was carrying a slight injury. However, the Welshman appeared for his country only days later, netting twice during the 2-1 World Cup play-off semi-final with Austria.
Prior to Wales' crunch play-off semi-final, one article in the Spanish press aimed a scathing attack on the 32-year-old, with Spanish newspaper Marca mocking up Bale as a mosquito before accusing him of ‘sucking’ the club’s money, despite helping Los Blancos win 14 trophies during his stint.
