Bale bounces back
Bale’s Real Madrid future has been under constant scrutiny this season – a quirk at a club that lives by its own rules.
The Welshman did not even make the starting line-up here and only emerged just after the hour – but within two minutes he scored one of the great Champions League goals, an overhead kick that was a triumph of athleticism and technique, and begged the question as to how Real could even contemplate life without him.
As for Bale’s second goal, make no mistake – when he took on that long-range shot, he would have been street-smart enough to know Karius was living on his nerves after his earlier error.
Bale delivered a reminder, if it were needed that he remains a world-class player.
It may just have been an expensive night for suitors such as Manchester United as his display here will have added millions to any potential transfer fee.
When asked about his future after the game, Bale told BT Sport: “I need to be playing week in, week out and that has not happened this season.
“I had an injury five, six weeks in but have been fit ever since. I have to sit down with my agent in the summer and discuss it.”
