8 moments that show Real Madrid can count on Gareth Bale

Bale hat-trick in Zidane's first game as manager

Things may have got downhill later, but Bale and Zizou started off with a bang

Sure, they wouldn't go on to have the most fulfilling relationship, but the way Bale kicked it off couldn't have been better. Bale scored two headers on the day, but the most sublime of the three was his second goal on the night.

Bale made a late run into the box and Carvajal played in a low cross to find him. The way he twists mid-run to open up his body and guide the ball home with his left foot, caressing the ball into the near post is a thing of beauty.

¡@GarethBale11 marcó un hat-trick en un #RealMadridDépor en el debut de Zidane con los blancos! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hLHhnygmBg

— LaLiga (@LaLiga) January 20, 2018

This should ideally have been a great start to a great relationship, but somewhere along the way things got fractured between player and manager. Now, perhaps with Ronaldo at Juventus, Bale can start to shine under Zidane.