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Bale fires Real to opening victory
BARCELONA: A Gareth Bale brace and a Marco Asensio lob helped Real Madrid make light work of Real Sociedad, running out 3-0 winners at Anoeta in their opening game
BARCELONA: A Gareth Bale brace and a Marco Asensio lob helped Real Madrid make light work of Real Sociedad, running out 3-0 winners at Anoeta in their opening game of the season in La Liga.
Back from his post-Euro 2016 holidays, Bale was the only member of the renowned ‘BBC’ forward line who was fit enough to play in Sunday’s game, as Zinedine Zidane’s team travelled to San Sebastian in the midst of an injury crisis, with five regular starters unable to make the squad.
As well as star forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Keylor Navas and Pepe were also ruled out, but it didn’t stop Madrid earning a convincing win at a notoriously tricky venue, thanks to Bale’s two goals.
“I’m happy for him,” said Zidane. “Physically he’s behind the others and you couldn’t tell. He started in the best way, with an early goal. He’s already said it’s an important year for him, and he’s showing that.”
Bale was picked despite having appeared in just one friendly in pre-season, but the Welshman got Madrid off to a flying start, leaping into the air to powerfully nod home Dani Carvajal’s tempting cross in only the second minute.
Kiko Casilla had to be quick off his line at the other end after a short back-pass by Raphael Varane, hacking the ball to safety under pressure.
Alvaro Morata nearly scored his first goal since returning to Real Madrid but, after a clever dribble, his strike was deflected behind for a corner.
A Toni Kroos effort met the same fate, with goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli quick to get down to tip the German’s drilled strike behind.
Real Sociedad had a good opportunity to level on the half-hour mark, but former Madrid man Asier Illarramendi opted to pass to Juanmi instead of shooting when well placed and the ball didn’t reach his team-mate.
It was an end-to-end affair, with Morata denied again by Rulli, while youngster Asensio, picked ahead of James Rodriguez and Isco, continued to bewilder defenders with his quick feet on his first start in La Liga for the European champions.
The forward scored Madrid’s second goal in the 40th minute with an effortless lob after he was sent through on Rulli’s goal by Varane’s pass, scooping the ball over the stopper with ease.
Zidane acknowledged the 20-year-old’s fine form was giving him selection problems.
“I had to decide and he went out from the start and did well. It’s a headache picking the lineup. Asensio had a great game, but so did (Mateo) Kovacic and others. The important thing is the team,” Zidane said.
