Bale over Benzema: AS readers name Champions League final XI
Real Madrid's fans want Gareth Bale to start ahead of Karim Benzema in the Champions League final against Liverpool in Kiev.
Real Madrid's fans want to see Gareth Bale start ahead of Karim Benzema in tonight's Champions League final against Liverpool, according to the results of a survey carried out by AS.com.
The Welshman has been in fine scoring form for Real of late, netting four times in his last three appearances.
Nearly 30,000 AS readers vote for Real Madrid XI
28,933 readers took part in a poll asking them to vote for their preferred XI in Kiev, and gave the nod to each of the outfield players who were in the team that faced Villarreal in LaLiga last weekend.
The only change comes in goal, first-choice keeper Keylor Navas unsurprisingly replacing youngster Luca Zidane, who made his debut in the 2-2 draw at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Real Madrid's Champions League final XI, as chosen by AS readers:
Keylor; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Isco; Bale and Cristiano.
Bale for Benzema as fans go with 10 of Real's Cardiff 11
Such a line-up would be almost identical to the team that began last year's final win over Juventus, with Bale's selection over Benzema - after receiving 16,029 votes to the Frenchman's 7,425 - the sole change from Cardiff.