2 Goals and 2 Assists – Bale finally justifies world-record price tag

Following his world record transfer to Real Madrid this summer, Gareth Balehas had somewhat of a stunted beginning to his career in Spain. The lack of a proper pre-season, coupled with some minor injuries, have inhibited his assimilation into Carlo Ancelotti’s squad and caused some to question whether the Welshman enjoyed one good season rather than possessing the kind of skill which £85 million buys.

Indeed, his low Performance Score of -5 emphasises the struggle which Bale has had to adjust to life in mainland Europe; there has been, so far, only fleeting glimpses of the quality which he exhibited at Tottenham last season and the winger had a poor game in last week’s El Clasico.

However, in a ridiculous game at the Bernabeu last night Bale demonstrated exactly the kind of ability which prompted Real Madrid to spend the amount of money that, to most of us, is almost inconceivable.

The match finished 7-3 and was as memorable for the tussle between Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Man of the Match award as much as it was for the ridiculous amount of goals which were scored.

Bale, on his full home debut, scored two goals in the first-half in a performance which was reminiscent of some of his brilliant displays for Tottenham last season and suggested that he has settled into life at his new team.

His first strike was from inside the penalty area and was precisely placed into the top corner of the Sevilla goal; given time on the ball, Bale was able to take a touch and put the ball in a place which one would struggle to replicate in a video game.

Whilst his second was more fortunate, rebounding off the wall from a free-kick, it may have been the confidence booster which Bale required to maintain his excellent start to the game throughout the whole 90 minutes.

Ancelotti’s use of Bale on the right-flank allowed him to offer a dual-threat in attack – whilst he could cut inside, he could also run at defenders and cut the ball back to his team-mates from wide areas.

This occurred for the two assists which the ex-Spurs man provided. As shown in the graphic below, Bale was able to deliver the ball in what appeared to be an easy fashion from his position of the wide right. Ancelotti’s new man thrived in this position, and as such Real Madrid thrived, in part, because of Bale.

It could be that this game is the catalyst which pushes the Welshman further into the world-class category which, at present, he tentatively lingers on the edge of. If this is an exaggeration, then it at least can be considered as the match which Gareth Bale came of age for Real Madrid and kickstarted his career as a Galactico.