This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/apr/17/gareth-bale-real-madrid-copa-del-rey-barcelona

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Gareth Bale's first season at Real Madrid: an appraisal Gareth Bale's first season at Real Madrid: an appraisal
(4 months later)
Six weeks ago Gareth Bale turned up for a Wales friendly – no mean feat for a man of his ability – and scored a goal that only he could score. He picked up the ball in his own half and went haring down the wing. Bale was in the right-back position but, aware of the threat he poses from anywhere on a football field, the Iceland defender barged him off the pitch and towards the advertising hoardings. Undeterred, Bale took an outside line and kept sprinting, gathering pace as he galloped down the sidelines. He had only one thought: to attack the goal. He approached another defender, shimmied on to his left foot, and swept the ball past the keeper. Six weeks ago Gareth Bale turned up for a Wales friendly – no mean feat for a man of his ability – and scored a goal that only he could score. He picked up the ball in his own half and went haring down the wing. Bale was in the right-back position but, aware of the threat he poses from anywhere on a football field, the Iceland defender barged him off the pitch and towards the advertising hoardings. Undeterred, Bale took an outside line and kept sprinting, gathering pace as he galloped down the sidelines. He had only one thought: to attack the goal. He approached another defender, shimmied on to his left foot, and swept the ball past the keeper.
He did it again last night. Only this time he was not playing in front of 13,000 Wales fans at the Cardiff City Stadium. He was playing for Real Madrid, in front of King Juan Carlos of Spain and the Barcelona defence, and his sprint up the touchline took him closer to the 55,000 fans who had packed into the Mestalla to watch the Copa del Rey final. He did it again last night. Only this time he was not playing in front of 13,000 Wales fans at the Cardiff City Stadium. He was playing for Real Madrid, in front of King Juan Carlos of Spain and the Barcelona defence, and his sprint up the touchline took him closer to the 55,000 fans who had packed into the Mestalla to watch the Copa del Rey final.
The Madrid press, who had demanded a big game from Bale in the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, were duty satisfied. "Do not be surprised if you dream about centaurs," warned Juanma Trueba in AS last night. "Bale was Bolt", read the headline on El Pais, with The Madrid press, who had demanded a big game from Bale in the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, were duty satisfied. "Do not be surprised if you dream about centaurs," warned Juanma Trueba in AS last night. "Bale was Bolt", read the headline on El Pais, with José Sámano's reporting that "lightning" had decided the Cup final: "Usain Bolt appeared with Welsh legs and put Real Madrid on the throne."
José Sámano's reporting that "lightning" had decided the Cup final: "Usain Bolt appeared with Welsh legs and put Real Madrid on the throne."
The story of Bale's season cannot be reduced to one match. He has provided 20 goals and 15 assists, could still complete the treble, and has not lost his love of the spectacular finish:The story of Bale's season cannot be reduced to one match. He has provided 20 goals and 15 assists, could still complete the treble, and has not lost his love of the spectacular finish:
Bale v ElcheBale v Elche
Bale v BetisBale v Betis
Bale v SchalkeBale v Schalke
But has he done enough? He has outshone the other expensive import to La Liga this season, Neymar, who looked like a jumped-up youth-team player in the Copa del Rey final. But he has not impacted games like Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who have scored 82 goals between them this season. Was €100m a fair price for Bale, or should Bale be doing even more for Real Madrid?But has he done enough? He has outshone the other expensive import to La Liga this season, Neymar, who looked like a jumped-up youth-team player in the Copa del Rey final. But he has not impacted games like Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who have scored 82 goals between them this season. Was €100m a fair price for Bale, or should Bale be doing even more for Real Madrid?
Has Bale been a success and was he worth the €100m transfer fee?Has Bale been a success and was he worth the €100m transfer fee?