Gareth Bale admits frustration before Champions League heroics

Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale has admitted that there was a sense of frustration of not starting regularly prior to his heroics in the Champions League heroics against Liverpool. The Wales international was brought onto the field when the scores were level at 1-1 but he changed the tide of the game with a man of the match brace which included a sensational overhead kick.

Speaking in a Q&A session in Cardiff, Bale relieved the moment saying: “I was frustrated, I’ve said before, not to start the game. But I knew I was capable of being involved in the game and I was. It was great to get the goal, pure emotion. It’s just kind of one of those things that you don’t think about, you just react to it.I’ve always wanted to score a bicycle kick. To do it on such an occasion was the place to do it.I kind of just went on holiday afterwards and tried to disconnect, so I haven’t watched it too many times. If you don’t try these things, they never come off.”

Since the triumph, Los Blancos have endured vast changes with Zinedine Zidane voluntarily quitting from the managerial role and this has soon been followed by the surprise departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Bernabeu. Despite this, Bale’s future with Madrid remains unresolved and the Welshman is expected to hold a meeting with new manager Julen Lopetegui to sort out his position.

Preferably, Bale would fancy a regular starting role on the left side of the attack next term but that does not remain a guarantee with Los Blancos said to be eyeing a successor to Ronaldo. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has, for now, been earmarked as the prime option for the position, though talks are still ongoing regarding a potential deal which could cost around £120m without the inclusion of add-ons.