Bale draws kudos after impressive Real debut
Updated: 2013-09-16 08:18
By Agence France-Presse in Madrid (China Daily)
|
|||||||||||
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates scoring against Villarreal in the Spanish La Liga match in Villarreal on Saturday. Heino Kalis / Reuters |
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed world record signing Gareth Bale's attitude after the Welshman made his debut for the Spanish giant by scoring in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
Bale knotted the score with a simple finish from close range just before halftime to cancel out Cani's opener for the host.
The 24-year-old was withdrawn by Ancelotti along with fellow debutant Asier Illarramendi on the hour mark due to their lack of match fitness.
Cristiano Ronaldo then briefly put Real ahead before Giovani Dos Santos struck 21 minutes from time to ensure the spoils were shared.
Ancelotti was happy with the contribution of his new players against a confident Villarreal side.
"I think they did well. I didn't want to run the risk of playing them for 90 minutes because it is not good for them in their first game for a while," he said.
"I think Bale is happy because he has scored for the first time with Real Madrid, which is very important for him. It was a difficult game for all of us, but he played well and showed a good attitude."
Bale lined up on the right side of the attack, with Ronaldo featuring mainly down the left.
However, the two did exchange positions at times and Ancelotti expects that is something they will be able to do to even greater effect with more playing time together.
"It was the first time that they have played together. Now and again they are going to change positions because the movement that they have, but it wasn't a specific point we had instructed them to do," said the coach.
(China Daily 09/16/2013 page24)
Today's Top News
Baby-throwing man stands trial
World Bank shares green path with China
More foreigners get green cards
FM hails US-Russia deal
Stranded cruise guests flown home
Fallen celebrity blogger says Net needs cleanup
Trending news across China
Request for blood of female virgins misread
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Happily ever after until the divorce |
Cure sought for the medical sector's ills |
Hanban shops around for a wider choice |
Africa looks to the Orient for lessons |
Urban push |
When life is sailing over the bounding sea |