jts1882
Dean Richards
The club announced on Wednesday that the out-of-favour Wales forward would not be among the 24-man party for the round-of-16 tie and Zidane, the Real head coach, said after landing in Manchester yesterday that Bale had asked not to travel because of a “personal reason”.
“The only thing to say — and this was in a personal conversation between us — is that he preferred not to play,” Zidane said. “The rest remains between me and him. I don’t want to add anything else. He’s not injured.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/...anchester-city-says-zinedine-zidane-hpb0zk0lq
Reinforces my view that Zidane is a clam. If the reason is personal, there is no need to say it in such a way that it makes Bale look bad. And when you say you don't want to add anything, adding that he is not injured makes you look devious and manipulative.