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Bale assured by Zidane that Real Madrid are still 'relying' on him despite bench duty

The Wales international was an unused substitute in a Champions League semi-final victory over Bayern Munich, but remains an important squad player

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has insisted that he will be relying on Gareth Bale late in the season despite leaving the attacker on the bench against Bayern Munich.

Bale was an unused substitute as Madrid recorded a 2-1 win over Bayern in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

The Wales international has made just five appearances – three of those starts – in Europe's premier club competition this season.