Gareth Bale's Form Crucial for Real Madrid in Liga and Champions League

Gareth Bale returned to action for Real Madrid against Sevilla at the weekend and helped his team do what no side had done for over a year.

Yes, Real Madrid ended Unai Emery's side's unbeaten home run to keep the pressure on Barcelona at La Liga's summit.

Of course, as much as Bale contributed on his return from injury in his substitute performance, it paled in significance compared to Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick. But Ronaldo is the No. 1 target for defenders who are up against Real Madrid. 

Sometimes it doesn't work—and that's down to the Portugal star's phenomenal physicality, technique and skill—but sometimes it does. And that's where Bale comes in.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

His appearance for Madrid on Saturday brought a burst of life to their play. He provided the cross that Ronaldo nodded home to score the third goal in their 3-2 win.

As the world's most expensive footballer, Bale is meant to be making the difference when it comes down to the crunch at the end of the season.

Bale hasn't contributed as much as he would have liked this season and has drawn criticism from various quarters for perceived lack of effort and for alleged selfishness with the ball.

Regardless of whether those opinions about Bale are right or wrong, his role between now and the end of the season is clear.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

As president Florentino Perez's "big bet," the Welshman is set to start every game between now and the end of the season, unless fitness and injury have a say.

In terms of position, with Karim Benzema out because of his knee injury, he is likely to start up top in a 4-4-2 against Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

When Benzema is back, Bale will revert to that position on the right, where he is half-forward, half-midfielder.

That's a difficult role for anyone to master, but his pace and physicality are important attributes.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

He has to utilise them to the best of his abilities as Real Madrid face five, or potentially six, crucial games.

There are three La Liga matches, one at home against Valencia, one away at Espanyol and finally home against Getafe.

The extreme probability is that Madrid need to win all three to win the league, hoping Barcelona, which are top by two points, slip up away at Atletico Madrid.

Even if he is still having a few difficulties playing on the same wavelength as the likes of Isco and James Rodriguez, Bale can get by on lung-bursting effort between now and the end of May.

And he will need to if Madrid are to end the season with one trophy, or two.