After 3 years in Spain: Nobody doubts Gareth Bale
After 3 years in Spain: Nobody doubts Gareth Bale
"Gareth Bale returned to England." This is news that you often read in the last three years. But this time it's true. Tuesday evening Bale will go on English ground for the first time since 2013, when moved to Real Madrid. It will be for one night. If there was doubt that the home entails Welshman and he wants to return to the island, maybe now it should be dispersed.
Currently in Spain he feels better than it has ever been. Better adapted, more confident, more valuable and in good physical shape, although he was dropped from the squad for a short time in the match with Villarreal, but this was more a precaution. Tuesday Bale is up against Manchester City, looking for his second Champions League. Looking for his first title in Spain too.
In the last round in La Liga three contenders won and continue the fight for first place. Bale was the basis of the success of the Real. Scored two goals and his team turned Rayo Vallecano 0: 2 to 3: 2. Not only were the goals. There was dynamic in the game and he was the leading figure in the composition, so that you earned and praise from Zinedine Zidane. "He was the difference in the game. We needed Bale and he was phenomenal. People see both goals, but excluding them, he played really well. His work both in defense and in attack, it was great. He showed good physical shape, having played the full 90 minutes. Garrett cope fantastic. and he showed that psychological has become stronger. "
It was a reminder that there is another player from whom in the City should fear. A player who has scored 18 goals and made 10 assists this season. Nothing unusual really. Bale scored 22 goals in his first season for Real and 17 in the second. Objectively speaking - those two seasons were successful for him. Scored the winning goal in the finals of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, scored the final of the Club World Cup and assisted Cristiano Ronaldo in the match for the European Super Cup. His goal against Sevilla last month it Briton with the most goals in the history of La Liga.
Yet doubts remained. He seemed uncertain. Statistics are one thing, but the impression is quite different. In Madrid all is not football. It is not enough just to play. Great requirements in the game and the many difficulties off the field are significant, especially for a foreigner accustomed to another style. Information that can not cope and adapt, however, were wrong, and too many were stoked timid groan against him at the stadium, which was thoroughly all - of Alfredo di Stefano to Zidane. But really, his life was not perfect.
"Relax, Bale plays well. Makes a fantastic season," said Carlo Ancelotti at the beginning of 2015, and the fact that then-coach of Real Madrid should have said was meaningful. "Last year was difficult for me," said Bale recently. After dropping the semifinals of the Champions League last season, his agent Jonathan Barnett complained to the media: "Gareth's career suffers because his teammates did not submit.
This claim was supported by statistics, it suggested the influence of internal politics at the club. There were no clashes, but there was a distance between him and Ronaldo, two different personalities occupying the same space. "Bale is angry - confirmed Barnett. - Most would be broken by what is happening, but it is purposeful. He could cry or scream or go knocking on the door of the coach, but he does not want to upset anyone."
He can not be knocking on the door of the coach, but certainly there were conversations in which president Florentino Perez has always maintained that there is no intention to sell Bale. He is the future of Real Madrid player is a brand future winner of the Golden Ball. When Rafa Benitez took over, one of his first tasks was to visit Bale in Wales to discuss his future a new position between the two strikers.
Few in Spain saw Bale as №10, but it was a role that he liked and that worked for him. In 2013 and then assistant coach of Real Paul Clement drew a parallel between Ronaldo and Bale. "Gareth is more likely to move between the lines of the game. Cristiano has a very direct style, while Gareth includes a rear position, combined with others, and watch out for his teammates." In other words, it fits that role. Whether it suited the others, it was quite another thing.
Some saw in this decision an attempt to show confidence Bale, but to the detriment of Ronaldo. Not just a football decision and political. Together with Karim Benzema Bale was the best player of Real Madrid in the first half, taking a huge responsibility. Benitez found him hardworking and executive, and Clement added that it is easy to train. The team, however, was under pressure. Real struggled with myself because Benitez relationships with some of the players.
While tensions grew, Bale support Rafa, believing that there is progress. And just the day after the Welshman announced that the club should have more confidence in the coach, Benitez was sacked and replaced by Zidane. Bale was one of the few players who were upset by this and was the only one who said it out loud. He was concerned that progress will go to the wind and will be returned to the wing. Worse - the left side. And Bale himself has made no secret that he prefers to have freedom of action.
I understand Gareth because he was attached to Benitez.
"It was important coach for him, but I will treat in the same way with him - assured him Zidane shortly after his appointment. - It is a major player, it is phenomenal and what it does is fantastic. I'll give him all his support to be able to play well. "
Four days after the debut of Zidane Bale scored a hat-trick against Deportivo and was sent to a standing ovation from the audience. It was his second hat-trick in four matches, which amassed ten goals in their last seven meetings. At this stage there was no player with more assists from him. Newspaper "Ace" called it "phenomenal" and in. "Make" - "incredible". Veteran journalist Santiago Segurola wrote "Bale made his best game since he was at Real Madrid."
For some of the entourage Welshman it was belated recognition to Bale. "I had a very good relationship with Rafa and I was a big disappointment to see that the leaves - confirmed Bale after this the best your game. - But we're professionals. We do not know what will happen the next day. For now enjoy game and I intend to continue that. "
The message became a little clearer since, had more confidence in the performances of Bale that is happening more and more often. He also appeared at the press conference before the Clasico, a match in which elaborate the winning goal to Ronaldo. And although his goal was canceled, he continued to score under the leadership of Zidane. While it was returned to the wing, usually right now he has more freedom. And while all is clear that he is most dangerous when there is room to move, Bale has scored more goals with the head (8) than anyone else in Europe. He believes that already has adapted to more technical style of play in Spain.
"Football is different in the Premier League. The game is played over the two doors and more space. Now I understand better game here. Perfected all the time. Last year was difficult for me," said Bale.
It adapts better in life outside football. When his daughter Nava Valentina was born recently, this happened in Spain, not in Britain. His Spanish language is slowly improving, it is now closer to his teammates, especially his former colleague from Tottenham Luka Modric, with Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal, closer than ever with captain Sergio Ramos. Besides feeling that the players of Real Madrid already perceive it differently than before, he also sees them differently. "Perhaps in the past we have not worked all the time as a whole, but now work as a team," said Welsh.
In other words, Bale is happy now. If Barnett year ago had said that he was "furious" but "decisive" when asked about his client two weeks ago, the response of the agent was different: "This is great!" With 18 goals and 10 assists in 19 games, which began as a starter, the statistics look impressive. But only at first glance. Because her can be seen and another angle: 18 goals and 10 assists seem impressive, but 19 games is alarming. This indicates that Bale has missed 13 league games, that needs more consistency to cementing its place.
"It was a little frustrating season" - he admits. Bale scored against Getafe, but was replaced, and then did not play against Villarreal. Not stay hidden, he played golf, which he pulled some criticism. And after missing Wednesday against Villarreal, he returned on Saturday against Rayo, bringing his team a valuable win. And on Tuesday he will be back in England. For the first time in three years, if only for one night.
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