The Welsh winger was impressive as Los Blancos beat Sevilla 4-0 and his return to form is a big boost ahead of the trip to Camp Nou and the Champions League quarter-finals.
Gareth Bale was up for this one. The former Tottenham midielder shone as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla on Sunday, starring with an all-action display that gives his side hope for the Clasico on April 2 and also in the last eight of the Champions League.
The Welsh winger has not always looked comfortable out on the right during his time at Real, but he impressed from the outset this time as he set up Karim Benzema for the opening goal after six minutes, rattled the post with a fierce drive from outside the box moments later and then saw a strike wrongly ruled out for offside.
This version is no doubt the Bale that Zinedine Zidane and all of the Madrid fans want to see. Tracking back in his own half to regain possession, the Welshman won applause from the supporters later on, while he came close to assisting another goal with an improvised overhead-kick cross and also headed over the bar from a tight angle before half-time.
In the second half, he sent a powerful long-range effort over the bar, before heading against the woodwork from a corner and finally hitting the back of the net from close in with a strike that takes him above Gary Lineker as the British player with most goals (43) in La Liga.
The Welsh winger has not always looked comfortable out on the right during his time at Real, but he impressed from the outset this time as he set up Karim Benzema for the opening goal after six minutes, rattled the post with a fierce drive from outside the box moments later and then saw a strike wrongly ruled out for offside.
This version is no doubt the Bale that Zinedine Zidane and all of the Madrid fans want to see. Tracking back in his own half to regain possession, the Welshman won applause from the supporters later on, while he came close to assisting another goal with an improvised overhead-kick cross and also headed over the bar from a tight angle before half-time.
In the second half, he sent a powerful long-range effort over the bar, before heading against the woodwork from a corner and finally hitting the back of the net from close in with a strike that takes him above Gary Lineker as the British player with most goals (43) in La Liga.
It was an eventful evening all in all. Keylor Navas denied Kevin Gameiro from the penalty spot and also made a stunning save late in the game, Cristiano Ronaldo blasted a spot-kick over the crossbar and Madrid should have had another earlier on, while Sevilla saw a goal wrongly ruled out for offside. The Portuguese forward also scored for the home side, as did substitute Jese.
It was an improved showing after last weekend's disappointing display at Las Palmas, when Madrid claimed a last-gasp win in a poor performance, particularly in the second half. "Playing like that, we won't go anywhere," Zidane told the press after that match.
But with Benzema back from injury and Bale fully fit and firing, the Frenchman was happier after this match. "I don't know if it was the best game since I have been here," he said. "But it was one of the best."
It was an improved showing after last weekend's disappointing display at Las Palmas, when Madrid claimed a last-gasp win in a poor performance, particularly in the second half. "Playing like that, we won't go anywhere," Zidane told the press after that match.
But with Benzema back from injury and Bale fully fit and firing, the Frenchman was happier after this match. "I don't know if it was the best game since I have been here," he said. "But it was one of the best."
It certainly was, although performances have generally been positive for Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu since Zidane took over from former coach Rafa Benitez in January. And there will be tougher tests than a Sevilla side that has not won a single game away from home in La Liga this season.
"Playing like that, we can achieve great things," the 43-year-old said this time. "The players know that. We always need that same intensity and that same commitment."
Having the BBC all together is a help. This was only the third time Zidane had been able to count on all three in the same line-up since he took over in January and the first since his second match in charge. It showed.
"It's the third time we have had them all available and it's very important to have all of your best players," he said. "It's a big plus. Now we have to rest and the internationals will go away with their national teams."
Not Bale, however. The 26-year-old has been left out of the Wales squad for friendlies against Northern Ireland and Ukraine, allowing him to build up his fitness ahead of the Clasico clash at Camp Nou on April 2.
The Welshman was taken off with 19 minutes remaining in this one and given generous applause by the Bernabeu following what was one of his finest showings in a Madrid shirt. He has now netted 15 times in his 21 appearances this term and had he been available more often in 2015-16, Los Blancos would surely be better off in La Liga.
The Primera Division is all but lost, of course, but with the BBC back together and Bale on this form, Real approach the trip to Camp Nou early next month with renewed optimism and a positive performance in the Clasico could yet be the catalyst for a successful run in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Welcome back, Gareth.
"Playing like that, we can achieve great things," the 43-year-old said this time. "The players know that. We always need that same intensity and that same commitment."
Having the BBC all together is a help. This was only the third time Zidane had been able to count on all three in the same line-up since he took over in January and the first since his second match in charge. It showed.
"It's the third time we have had them all available and it's very important to have all of your best players," he said. "It's a big plus. Now we have to rest and the internationals will go away with their national teams."
Not Bale, however. The 26-year-old has been left out of the Wales squad for friendlies against Northern Ireland and Ukraine, allowing him to build up his fitness ahead of the Clasico clash at Camp Nou on April 2.
The Welshman was taken off with 19 minutes remaining in this one and given generous applause by the Bernabeu following what was one of his finest showings in a Madrid shirt. He has now netted 15 times in his 21 appearances this term and had he been available more often in 2015-16, Los Blancos would surely be better off in La Liga.
The Primera Division is all but lost, of course, but with the BBC back together and Bale on this form, Real approach the trip to Camp Nou early next month with renewed optimism and a positive performance in the Clasico could yet be the catalyst for a successful run in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Welcome back, Gareth.
Goal
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