Gareth Bale admits he may not be physically able to play in the Champions League final played in his hometown of Cardiff.

Bale admitted that he returned too soon after surgery on an ankle ligament injury sustained in November and that he is not yet fully fit. 

Bale is prepared to play a substitute's role against Juventus.

There's been debate in Spain whether it would be Bale or Isco to start for Real Madrid, but it appears now certain that it will be Isco.

“I am not 100%: I haven’t played for six or seven weeks: I obviously had my operation which still really hasn’t recovered,” Bale said. “If I’m called upon to start, I will start obviously. But to last 90 minutes: I haven’t played a lot of football this year since my operation, so that would be difficult. Isco has been playing fantastically well for us, at the end of the season, so whatever the manager decides I will [accept it]. Whether he or I start, we’ll both be cheering each other on.

“I’m sure [Zidane] will speak to us and I’ll find out at some point, but I have been working hard, training now the last few days. We had a practice game on Saturday and I came through it all unscathed. I feel strong, feel fit, [but] obviously match fitness is a different thing.

“It has been a difficult season, so whatever I am required to do [I will do]. I obviously have battled hard to get fit for this, and whatever is the best for the team is the most important thing: to lift that Champions League trophy is the most important thing.”

Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 4-2 on aggregate to advance to the Champions League Final against Juventus.

Atleti won the second leg of the tie 2-1, testing Real Madrid with two early goals before Isco scored just before halftime to give Zinedine Zidane's side a cushion. Real Madrid won the first leg 3-0.

Saul scored in the 12th minute and then Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty four minutes later.

Real Madrid has defeated Atleti in each of the past four Champions League seasons.

Jose Mourinho has publicly given up on the possibility of Manchester United finishing in the top-4 of the Premier League following their 2-0 loss at Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger defeated Mourinho for the first time in 13 league matches.

United are four points behind Manchester City and Mourinho will instead focus on achieving Champions League qualifications on winning the Europa League.

“The top four? Impossible,” Mourinho said. “For two reasons. I don’t think the other clubs [in the race], who are playing one match a week, are going to lose. And, because we go with everything on Thursday [against Celta Vigo], we cannot go with everything at Tottenham.

“Go with everything at Tottenham and it’s difficult. Without everything, it’s more difficult. Then we play Southampton and Palace. I don’t think we have any chance of the top four. We have to chase the Champions League by trying to win the Europa League.”

Real Madrid will enter the second leg of their Champions League semifinal tie against Atletico Madrid as overwhelming favorites following their 3-0 win at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo recorded a hat-trick for Real Madrid, scoring in the 10th, 73rd and 86th minute of the match. Ronaldo's second goal was particularly impressive with a strike from just outside the area.

With the exception of a chance in the first half for Kevin Gameiro that was broken up by Keylor Navas, Real Madrid dominated the entire match and Jan Oblak did well to keep Atleti in the match.

Atletico was even more defensive than usual and not as quick to 50/50 balls as Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane said Real Madrid will try a new approach in their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid has defeated Atleti in each of the past three Champions League seasons.

Zidane was asked if it helps Real Madrid that they've defeated Atleti in the Champions League previously.

“I don’t think so. The opposite, maybe. For us and for them it’s a semi-final over two games. We start tomorrow and we’ll be extra motivated because it’s a semi-final. You can’t live on the past because that’s what it is, in the past. It’s different now and they’ll do everything to go through.”

While many of the players from the 2014 final are gone, Real Madrid's XI from 2016 remains largely intact. But Zidane will still try new ideas.

“We are going to try something new. There is always extra motivation. The little details will decide the tie. We know each other well. What we want is to see a great game of football.”