I'd be delighted if Bale goes to Real Madrid, jokes Reina

Feb 19, 2013 9:15:00 AM

The Liverpool shot-stopper quipped that he has had enough of the Welshman causing him problems, but ruled out a return to Barcelona to replace the outgoing Victor Valdes

Pepe Reina has joked that he would love to see Gareth Bale move to Real Madrid, so that he does not have to face the Tottenham winger.

The current Liga champions are long-term admirers of Bale's and Goal.com revealed in December that the north London club are already preparing for his potential exit in the summer.

And Reina believes that Bale is comparable to Liverpool talisman, Luis Suarez, who has also been linked with a move to Spain, although the keeper does not believe the Uruguay man will leave Anfield.

He told Marca: "If Real Madrid signs Bale I'll be delighted. He causes me a lot of problems!

"I can't see Luis Suarez playing in La Liga. I think he'll stay at Liverpool. He's a great player. So are Bale and a few others in the Premier League."

The shot-stopper also backed Real Madrid to beat Manchester United in their Champions League second-leg clash in two weeks after a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu last week.

"I want Real to win the Champions League tie against United," Reina added. "It's a Spanish team and I've got lots of friends there."

Reina himself has been linked with a move from Liverpool. Arsenal are keen admirers in the Spaniard, while he has also been linked with a return to Barcelona to fill in for Victor Valdes, who has announced he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of next season.

He said: "I'm sure Victor Valdes will have his reasons for deciding to leave Barcelona. I respect him. He's my team-mate and friend.

"He'll be leaving with his head held high, as he's given his all to Barcelona. Any talk of me joining Barca is just speculation. I've got a contract at Liverpool and I'm very happy here."

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I'm happy to report that not only is the Champions League final under way, Bastian Schweinsteiger is a part of it having shaken off that knock he received during the warm-up.

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Right, folks, the teams are in the tunnel and we're just about ready to go. This promises to be an absolute cracker, so fingers crossed it lives up to its billing. It's Borussia Dortmund versus Bayern Munich in the final of the 2013 Champions League and we're just three minutes away from kick-off!

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However, former Dortmund attacker Marcio Amoroso believes the fact that Bayern are being widely tipped to win counts for nothing tonight.

"Everyone says Bayern are the favourites, and I believe they are. But when it comes to the real thing, that doesn't exist. They'll be playing in neutral field, with split fans... When it comes to the fans, I think Borussia is much better served."

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Let's here from a couple of Brazilians with a keen interest in this game. First, former Bayern midfielder Ze Roberto, who has some interesting things to say on this all-German final.

"The German school has always been one of strength rather than technique. Today, they have found the perfect balance between the two things. That's why they've grown so much in the last few years. This final between two Germans shows the strength of the country's football.

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"It will be a very good final, but I think Bayern has the advantage."

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