MADRID // Gareth Bale’s troubled second season at Real Madrid sunk to a fresh low with a poor performance in Tuesday’s Uefa Champions League defeat at Juventus, but the Wales winger has a chance to silence his critics in Sunday’s Primera Liga clash at home to Valencia.
Bale, who was making his first start in Turin after a brief injury lay-off, has been whistled by some disgruntled Real fans at the Bernabeu this term, a startling turnaround for a player who scored crucial goals in the finals of the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in 2013/14.
That kind of return was why Real broke the transfer record to lure the 25-year-old from Tottenham Hotspur, but he has struggled to live up to expectations this season as the world’s richest club chase a record 11th European crown and seek to haul in Primera Liga leaders Barcelona.
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Eliminated from the Copa del Rey by city rivals Atletico in January, Real lost the Champions League semi-final first leg at Juve 2-1 and are second in the Primera Liga, two points behind Barca, who host Real Sociedad on Sunday, with three matches left.
Bale barely made an impact against Juve before being substituted near the end and had just 14 touches in the first half, six fewer than Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
His statistics are similar to those from last season, with 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 matches in 2014/15 compared to 22 goals and 12 assists in 44 games last term.
The perception remains, though, that he is not performing well enough, and the Welshman has been criticised for being too selfish in front of goal and not contributing enough in defence.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has staunchly defended Bale and did so again after the Juve loss.
Body: “I took him off because he was tired and he was coming back from an injury,” the Italian said.
“He is too important for us and when a player is tired there is a risk of injury, and I prefer to avoid problems.”
While Real’s season has hit rough waters, treble-chasing Barca go into their game against Sociedad following Wednesday’s superb 3-0 Champions League win at home to Bayern Munich.
Luis Enrique’s side, who are through to this month’s Copa del Rey final on May 30 against Athletic Bilbao, have scored 23 goals while conceding any during their past six outings in all competitions.
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