Zidane: I don't know if Bale is focused

Zinedine Zidane is unsure if Gareth Bale is focused at Real Madrid as the coach apologised for his side's shock loss to Rayo Vallecano.

Madrid's poor LaLiga season continued with a surprise 1-0 defeat away to Rayo, who climbed off the bottom of the table.

Bale started up front but was unable to have an impact and, with questions over the Welshman's future, Zidane said he was unsure about the 29-year-old's commitment.

"I don't know if Bale is focused," he told a news conference.

"You'll have to ask him."

Adri Embarba's first-half penalty was enough for Rayo, who kept their slim chances of survival alive, while Madrid are set to finish third.

Zidane, who returned to the helm last month, blasted Madrid for their display at the Estadio de Vallecas.

"We haven't found the goal. We didn't do anything from the first minute to the end – at all levels, not only at the goal level," he said.

"We haven't had anything and we haven't played anything. We have to be very angry.

"I'm very angry because our image today has been bad. I am responsible, not just the players.

"You have to apologise for everything we did today."

Messi: We're happy with Liverpool win in a very intense game

Lionel Messi says that Barcelona must be satisfied with their heavy victory against Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final – but has warned his team-mates that the tie is far from over.

“We had chances to score more but we must be happy with tonight,” Messi stated. “We are aware that it's not over as we still have to go to their ground. But we're happy with tonight.
“It was a very, very intense game. They're used to playing at that rhythm, with a very physical game, with a lot of counter-attacks.
“We're very tired now but we have to continue like this, also in the second leg. In the first half, we played well.
“In the second half, they were very good. They had some great chances. We did well to resist. I was very fortunate to find the corner with that goal. It was a beautiful moment. We have to be united."