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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Jose Mourinho made to look foolish over Gareth Bale comments amid Wales' Euros campaign

Gareth Bale continues to play a leading role for Wales at Euro 2020 making a mockery of comments made by Jose Mourinho regarding his durability.

Bale came into this summer's tournament following a frustrating season in north London with Tottenham.

The Welshman returned on a season-long loan from Real Madrid but found himself in and out of the first team.

Mourinho was adamant that Bale could not play 90 minutes on a weekly basis and was keen to utilise him as and when he could.

The 31-year-old has struggled with injuries during his career and the Special One continued to dismiss criticism regarding his use of Bale.

"I want to keep the momentum going but I need to manage him," he said.

"The communication is very good and I think he trusts me. In this moment we are deciding together what to do.

"The other day during the [ Crystal Palace ] match I found Andre Marriner the fourth official was finding it annoying because we were talking so much.

"I was asking '10 minutes more? 20 minutes?'. He's playing very well.

"The relationship with him is very good I think and of course I would like him to play 90 minutes in every game but he can't."

How far will Wales go in Euro 2020? Have your say below.

The Welshman was in and out of the starting XI at Tottenham (Pool via REUTERS)

Bale though has again started for Wales in their third group game at the Euros.

He played 90 minutes in games against Switzerland and Turkey meaning he will have played three times in eight days should he play the entire game in Rome.

That is despite Bale failing to complete the entire game at any point during the Premier League season.

The Madrid outcast claimed earlier this year that increasing his fitness was part of his motivation for returning to Tottenham.

“I think the main reason I came to Spurs this year was to play football first and foremost," he said in March.

“Going into the Euros I wanted to be match-fit. The original plan was to do a season at Spurs and after the Euros still have a year left at Real Madrid.

“My plan is to go back, that’s as far I have planned.”

Bale scored 16 times in all competitions for Tottenham, 11 of which came in the league.

He showed his quality late on with a hat-trick against Sheffield United in May.

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