Bale Shines with Ronaldo Missing Against Villarreal
When Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, it seemed like poor timing. There's never a right time to be dismissed, either within the match or the subsequent suspension.
Although, if there are adequate replacements or the next few matches are a little easier, then it cannot be all that disastrous.
Ronaldo left the field with Gareth Bale missing through injury and with the visit of a team—that had won four out of their last five matches—on the horizon. Villarreal had already held Real Madrid in the reverse fixture, when Bale surprisingly made his competitive debut.
The Welshman has had to deal with a number of minor setbacks since arriving in the capital, but it never seems to alter his form. It's been a disrupted campaign for Bale, and seven is his longest run of consecutive league games.
"Bale has played well when he was fit," said manager Carlo Ancelotti to ESPN's Dermot Corrigan earlier this week. "He has had some problems, for sure he will be much better next year. First, after having a normal preseason, and also with more knowledge of Spanish football culture."
Ancelotti is right, Bale has been impressive. He now needs to play every week and maintain his fitness. Alongside Ronaldo he has been decent, but without the Portuguese forward it's his time to shine.
