Gareth Bale impressed in his first Real Madrid appearance in six months after finally putting his injury nightmare behind him.
The 32-year-old played 74 minutes for the La Liga leaders in Saturday’s scoreless draw at Villarreal, playing in a central attacking role in the absence of Karim Benzema.
The Welshman had appeared to be enjoying a new lease of life in the Spanish capital following the return of boss Carlo Ancelotti this summer – starting in each of the side’s opening three league matches this campaign.
The Italian had been in the dugout when Bale signed for Los Blancos from Tottenham in the summer of 2013 and the forward’s best form at the club came under the Italian coach.
Yet Bale suffered fresh injury heartbreak with a hamstring pull seeing him miss six months of the campaign while various fitness setbacks since have delayed his return to action.
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The forward had netted in the early season 3-3 draw at Levante and appeared to have the trust of Ancelotti, with whom he won the Copa del Rey and Champions League titles in 2014.
Yet his only appearances since August had come for Wales, but he has been eased back to full fitness in the Spanish capital and started in Saturday’s trip to Villarreal.
It took Bale a little while to adjust to the pace of the match, not making his first touch of the ball until the 20 th minute as he appeared isolated with Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio also deployed in a three-man attack.
Bale burst into life ten minutes before the break, combining in a sharp move with David Alaba before firing a shot narrowly wide of goal.
The Welshman then came close to opening the scoring as he latched onto a threaded ball before showing excellent control and seeing a powerful shot well-saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Bale was then booked for tripping his former Tottenham teammate Giovani Lo Celso, but he did enjoy more prominence in the second half.
The former Spurs forward picked out Vinicius with a lovely pass – before the Brazilian was cynically felled – before Bale had another effort, forcing Rulli into a fine tipped save over the crossbar.
Bale then had two more chances: doing well to get across defender Raul Albiol before heading narrowly wide and then found space in the middle of the area before seeing his effort partly stopped by Rulli and the ball cleared off the line by a defender.
Bale was then replaced in the 74 th minute by Luka Jovic, with his efforts appreciated by Ancelotti – who gave him a big hug as he made his way off.
All three of Bale’s appearances since August prior to Saturday had been for his national side Wales, with injuries bringing his fresh revival in the Spanish capital to an end.
He is now in contention to be involved for Ancelotti’s side in the season run-in and for the crunch Champions League Round of 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Bale has won a total of 13 trophies at Real Madrid including two La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns.
