Champions League final team news: Isco starts ahead of Bale as Real take on Juventus

The Spaniard has been given the nod over the Wales star in Cardiff, while James Rodriguez has not been included for the showpiece event

Isco has been named in the starting lineup ahead of Gareth Bale as Real Madrid take on Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final

The Spaniard played a key role in helping the Blancos see off rivals Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, scoring in the second leg at the Vicente Calderon.

However, with Bale returning to fitness ahead of the showdown, there was uncertainty over who Real boss Zinedine Zidane would opt for out of the two men.

But Zidane has decided to put his faith in Isco from the start with Wales ace Bale named amongst the substitutes in his home city Cardiff.

James Rodriguez, however, has not been included for the showpiece event.

Real Madrid starting XI: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Real Madrid substitutes: Casilla, Nacho, Bale, Kovacic, Asensio, Morata, Danilo.

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ARSENAL JOIN MBAPPE CHASE

Arsenal are in the race to sign Monaco star Kylian Mbappé, according to L'Equipe. 

The young forward has drawn interest from several sides, with Real Madrid and Manchester City the clubs with the strongest links to the player so far. 

But with Arsene Wenger under contract again, it seems the Gunners are willing to offer up €100 million to bring the youngster to Emirates Stadium. 

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MAN UTD MAKE LACAZETTE MOVE

Manchester United have made an approach for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, according to L'Equipe.

The France international was all set to join Atletico Madrid, but the Liga outfit's failure to overturn their transfer ban has seen that move fall apart.

And now United have moved ahead of Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal in the race for the 26-year-old.

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REAL MADRID TARGET £100M HAZARD

Real Madrid are prepared to break the transfer world record to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea, according to the Sun .

The Liga side have already met Hazard's entourage three times as they look to bring the Belgium international to Santiago Bernabeu for a record £100 million fee. Madrid believe that Zinedine Zidane's presence can help entice Hazard to leave Chelsea, but Antonio Conte does not want to sell his star player.

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'Bale's not even training with us' - Zidane suggests Real Madrid star not close to return

The winger will miss the Blancos' La Liga match against Sevilla on Sunday and his coach admits he does not know when he will be available again

Zinedine Zidane remains unsure when Gareth Bale will be available for Real Madrid again but hopes it will be soon.

Wales international Bale sustained a calf injury in the Champions League quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on April 12 and lasted less than 45 minutes on his return against Barcelona 11 days later.

The 27-year-old has not featured since that 3-2 defeat and he has just four more chances to feature this season with Madrid chasing glory in Spain and Europe.

Zidane revealed Bale's condition is improving, but admitted he is unsure when the forward will be in a suitable condition to return to the pitch.

"We have to see day to day with Gareth Bale," he told a news conference ahead of Sunday's La Liga match against Sevilla. "He is continuing in the gym, working, trying to get rid of his discomfort.

"It's getting better, but you have to go day by day. But he's not even training with us. I cannot tell you when he will return, but hopefully it is soon."

Another player who will not feature at Santiago Bernabeu this weekend is Pepe.

The experienced centre-back has been struggling with a rib injury and has been linked with a move to Inter or AC Milan when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Zidane paid tribute to Pepe's contribution to the club since joining in 2007 but said he is unable to clarify what the 34-year-old's future holds at the moment.

"Pepe's career has been spectacular," said the Madrid coach. "It's been 10 years where he's done fantastic things, but with this I'm not telling you what is going to happen next year because I do not know.

"He will not be in the squad tomorrow because of his rib. He trained with us, but it's not quite right."

Madrid sit second to Barcelona in LaLiga due to an inferior head-to-head record, but Zidane's side possess a game in hand which they play against Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

With Juventus in the Champions League final following their final league outing away to Malaga, Zidane called for concentration to ensure the season does not fall apart.

"We have done phenomenally so far. We look very good in La Liga and are in the Champions League final, but it does not mean anything," said the Frenchman.

"We have three finals in La Liga remaining and we are going to start with the first one.

"The three matches are very difficult. The one in Seville because they are always high up in the table and are a very good team.

"Look at what Celta are doing, and Malaga are in impressive shape at the moment. But we are only thinking about tomorrow."

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Conte was wrong - Pochettino says Chelsea spending key to title win

The Blues boss said Tottenham should have had an advantage in the battle for the league crown, but the Argentine pointed out a flaw in his logic

Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at Antonio Conte's suggestion that Tottenham had an advantage in the Premier League title race, insisting Chelsea's big spending had more of an influence.

Chelsea were crowned champions on Friday thanks to a 1-0 win over West Brom, which came about thanks to a late goal from substitute Michy Batshuayi.

Head coach Conte had previously suggested that Spurs should have had the edge over his side given that Pochettino is in his third season at White Hart Lane, whereas Conte is in his first in English football.

But Pochettino has rejected the notion, suggesting that Chelsea's significant spending in the transfer market has been critical to their success.

"I understand him. It's difficult for him because he was always a manager who liked to work with and to develop young talent," the Spurs boss said.

"It's difficult when you sign for a club like Chelsea and you have the pressure to win and you spend the money that they spent on David Luiz, Marcos Alonso, Batshuayi and [N'Golo] Kante. I totally understand but I don't know if I agree with him that it's an advantage.

"[Arsenal manager] Arsene Wenger should win the league every season because he is 20 years in charge, if that is the right way to measure our advantage. I think it's not fair to measure with me, as it is to measure with Wenger. Twenty years is a massive advantage. Why not win every season?

"It's not a criticism [of Wenger]. It was not the best comment from him [Conte]."

Spurs host Manchester United on Sunday knowing that a victory will ensure that they finish second in the Premier League for the first time in their history.

It is also the last match to be played at White Hart Lane before the stadium is demolished to make way for the club's new 61,000-seater venue, which is due to be ready for the 2018-19 season.

"I am very sensitive person and so emotional, so it will be difficult not to cry," Pochettino said. "I think for the fans it means a lot but in the same way – and I don't want to be wrong – I think our fans are so excited to welcome the new stadium, too.

"That doesn't mean they are happy it is the end of White Hart Lane, but that they are excited towards the progress. They are excited to the future of the club. Be sure it will be very, very emotional but at the same time it will be very, very exciting to welcome the new stadium."

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SPURS & CHELSEA BATTLE FOR SMITH

Chelsea and Tottenham are set to go head-to-head to sign Bournemouth defender Adam Smith, according to The Sun.

Smith began his career at Spurs and the club are considering a bid to re-sign him as a possible replacement for Kyle Walker, who has been heavily linked with Manchester City.

The Blues, meanwhile, are understood to have scouted the 26-year-old in the 2-2 draw with Stoke, and will watch him again when the Cherries face Burnley.

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