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Zidane: Bale remains 'really important' to Real Madrid

The Welsh winger was named among the substitutes on Tuesday but his manager talked up his importance to the side

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane insisted Gareth Bale is a "very important" player for the Spanish and European champions.

Former Tottenham star Bale, who continues to be linked with a return to the Premier League, started on the bench as two-time reigning Champions League winners Madrid advanced to the quarter-finals following Tuesday's 2-1 victory over a 10-man Paris Saint-Germain.

The Wales international forward was introduced with 14 minutes remaining in Paris, where Madrid sealed a 5-2 aggregate triumph.