Goal Against Malaga Eases Pressure on Gareth Bale at Real Madrid

Of all the aspects of Gareth Bale's goal against Malaga, which clinched a record-setting 16th consecutive victory for Real Madrid on Saturday, there was one that was more notable than others: It was struck with his right boot.

"I can improve everything, and working on my weaker foot is the main thing," the Welshman said in a recent interview with Charlie Parrish of The Telegraph. 

It was a comment, focused on perpetual development, that stood in contrast to a certain perception that's grown in regard to Bale this season.

Indeed, an underwhelming opening to his second campaign at the Bernabeu has seen the winger's work ethic and appetite questioned; for many, his recent tendency to drift in and out of games is indicative of a player who's lost the unrelenting drive for improvement that propelled him to the pinnacle of European football. 

In the space of a few months, the narrative surrounding him has changed. Suddenly, the criticism is vast: Isco works harder, James Rodriguez tracks back more diligently, the goalkeeper has more touches than him and he's not closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo's standard like he once was.

Discuss Bale and Real Madrid with many of the club's observers and you'll quickly stumble into such remarks.

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But listening to the former Tottenham star speak—he's often self-deprecating before becoming serious—leaves you with the sense that doubts over his desire are misguided, that his issues at present are related to form rather than a lack of work ethic.  

For there's a quiet, steely resolve to the Welshman that can be easily overlooked. A humble character with a disposition that borders on shy, Bale isn't the sort of extroverted alpha dog that fans of Los Blancos have become accustomed to with Ronaldo. 

Yet, that doesn't mean that the Portuguese's understudy—or heir apparent—isn't intent on following the path forged by the Ballon d'Or winner. 

"[Ronaldo]'s been amazing since I've been there and I learn something new every day," Bale said of working with Real Madrid's talisman. "He's helping me become a better player, which is my constant goal. I'm trying to get up to his level.

"In fact, I've been trying to improve my right foot."

Words, of course, carry little significance unless they're backed up by actions. On Saturday at La Rosaleda, with his team in need of a knockout blow against Malaga, Bale thumped a strike into the back of the net with that very foot. Two years ago at White Hart Lane—or even as recently as last season—he wouldn't have; instead, he'd have used the outside of his left in an attempt to lift the ball over the goalkeeper. 

It was a definitive sign of development and technical improvement—an indication that Bale's game is developing just how it should be, even if his recent form has been below the standard set during his maiden season in Madrid.

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Of course, critics will argue that Bale's capacity to seize on brief moments has never been the problem—that it's his general lack of involvement across 90 minutes that is the true concern. 

Such a view gained even greater traction after Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Basel in the Champions League, a game in which goalkeeper Keylor Navas had more touches than the Wales international. 

But judging Bale in such a way misses the point. Critiquing his involvement in that sense fails to acknowledge his role in the team and how that role has been impacted by the faces that now surround him. 

Look at those who sit behind him in midfield, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Rodriguez and Isco; they're all essentially No. 10s and ball-retaining technicians. In itself, it's a remarkable feat from Carlo Ancelotti to craft a dominant and positionally fluid midfield from a collection of very similar assets. 

But the by-product has been a reduction in Bale's time on the ball; his touches have become more infrequent since he's been lining up with a midfield that's more technically adept than that of last season.

In short, there's only so much possession to go around. And Bale, amid the presence of a new-look central ensemble, isn't the player Ancelotti wants dominating it.  

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Instead, Bale's task is now more specific than it has been at any stage during his time in the Spanish capital. He needn't worry about possession and touches; those around him are responsible for that.

He's now a finisher—a lethal forward who lurks until that moment comes.  

Essentially, he's a hitman for Ancelotti. He's a player to wound or kill off an opponent in an instant. 

In the first clash with Basel, Modric provided him with that moment. He took it. Against Deportivo La Coruna, Marcelo and Isco created two such moments. He took both. 

That was also the case when Rodriguez created a chance for him against Elche. Ditto for his thumping strike after Ronaldo's smart header against Malaga on Saturday. 

He's now got six goals in 10 Liga games. That's the figure that's relevant. Tellingly, only six players in the division have more and they have played more often than the Welshman. 

And from Ancelotti, the message has been clear: When Bale is fit, he plays. Period. 

A decisive strike—one indicative of significant development—from Bale's right boot at La Rosaleda justified his manager's view and eased the pressure on the Welshman in the process.

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