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Julen Lopetegui Backs Gareth Bale for 'Great Season' Before UEFA Super Cup

Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui spoke of his "love" for Gareth Bale ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid in Estonia.

The Welshman is expected to play a major role in 2018-19 after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lopetegui said he has been impressed with Bale's motivation in pre-season, per David Schiavone of Marca:

"Bale is a player we love, he has been here a long time and has been training hard. He is motivated and is an important player who forms part of the team, and being a team is what is important.