Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale has explained why he thinks English sides struggle in European competitions.
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The two-time UEFA Champions League winner played in the prestigious competition with Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur before leaving for Los Blancos in 2013.
Bale believes English teams will keep on struggling in Europe as long as the country's top flight remains so intense and without a winter break.
"I think I know why – but you can't change it. It's the league itself. In every Premier League game you have to be at 100% for 90 minutes or you lose," the Welshman said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
"Spanish teams definitely know they have this edge over English teams. I think every country does. Spain, Italy, Germany – they all have a winter break.
"Also, in Spain, you can be up at half-time against the bottom club and you can take your foot off the gas. You can take people off.
"If you try for only 45 minutes, you won't win a match in the Premier League. Obviously, we still play but it's not at the same 110% intensity.
"And the winter break is massive. In England you'll play four or five games, and we don't play any. You don't get many rest days and it really does burn you out for a long time."
The Wales talisman also had some words of praise for his manager Zinedine Zidane, who is his third coach since his arrival in Madrid.
"He just knows football," Bale added.
"He knows the psychology of football. He played at the top level. He was the best player for years in his prime.
"He's just brought his playing style into management, has a very calming influence and has shown us what he has got on the training field."
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Bale has made 20 appearances in all competitions for Real this season, scoring nine goals and assisting a further four strikes.
Do you agree with Bale's opinion on why English clubs struggle in Europe? Have your say in the comments section below.
