Real Madrid's Gareth Bale reacts after a missed scoring opportunity against Espanyol during their King's Cup soccer match at Cornella El Prat stadium, in Barcelona January 21, 2014. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino
MADRID (Reuters) - Gareth Bale was left out of Wednesday's King's Cup semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid to keep him fresh for Real Madrid's La Liga match at home to Villarreal on Saturday, coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
The Wales winger was expected to feature in the game at the Bernabeu, which Real won 3-0, after recovering from a calf problem but Ancelotti explained that Cristiano Ronaldo's three-match suspension in the league had forced his hand.
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