Ahead of tomorrow’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Wales, Israel national team manager Avi Guttman is leaving no stone unturned to nullify Gareth Bale’s threat.
Bale moved on a world record transfer fee to Spanish giants Real Madrid at the start of the 2012/13 season and played an instrumental role in helping the club win their tenth European Cup last summer; he also scored the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final against arch-rivals Barcelona in his inaugural season in Spain.
The 25-year-old is a key member of Chris Coleman’s national side that are preparing to take on Israel in their Euro 2016 qualifier tomorrow.
And the Israeli manager is busy making plans to stop the threat of the prolific Bale, who has continued his goalscoring form from last season and has notched up 16 goals and eight assists from his 39 appearances in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti’s team so far.
Guttman joked that he tried to contact Cristiano Ronaldo to get tips on stopping Bale. Defending as a unit remains Israel’s best chances of stopping Bale, however, he feels.
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“We contacted Cristiano [Ronaldo to ask] exactly how to do it, how to stop Bale”, Guttman was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“But he didn't answer the call and it is not about one man.
“We're going to play the game as one unit not to give him space.
"This is our plan."
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