Breaking Down Gareth Bale's Performance for Real Madrid vs. Valencia

It's a shame for Gareth Bale, on a personal level, that Real Madrid couldn't beat Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 2-2 draw leaves Madrid four points adrift in the Primera Liga title race with just two games to go. It essentially kills their domestic season.

That's all this game will be remembered for by Madrid fans, with Cristiano Ronaldo's missed penalty the nadir of an awful first half, which saw Los Blancos head into the break two goals down.

But that doesn't do what was an impressive display by Bale justice.

The Welshman, having been criticised after a limp performance in Turin, during Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat by Juventus in the week, was desperate to impress.

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Some fans whistled both Bale and Ancelotti at the start of the game, when their names were read out. However, once the game began, Bale was playing at a high level while other Madrid players faltered.

An early charge from Bale down the right saw him taken out by Jose Luis Gaya, with a kick to the Achilles.

From the resulting free-kick, he launched the ball goalward, only to see it rebound back off the crossbar.

He hit the bar again in less impressive fashion a few minutes later, from close range, but the flag was up.

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This moment aside, Bale was a creative, impressive influence in the first half. An excellent cross from the right fell nicely for Ronaldo, but his overhead kick was blocked.

Despite this, Madrid were two goals down thanks to Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego.

Bale continued working to reduce this deficit, forcing Diego Alves into a top-drawer save with a long-distance piledriver that was headed for the top-left corner.

Bale has often been criticised for his close ball work and technique, but he helped glue together a tiki-taka move that led to an opportunity for Javier Hernandez.

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James Rodriguez took the ball forward, feeding the Mexican striker. He looked for Bale, who received it and laid it back to the striker, who hit the post.

Although Bale doesn't have a good relationship with Madrid fans, they cheered and applauded his effort, as he scrapped with three Valencia players near the corner of the pitch. They appreciated his fight, showing spirit others in the team seemed to be lacking.

It eventually paid off when Gaya fouled him in the area and Real Madrid were awarded a penalty.

Ronaldo took it, aiming to fatten his not inconsiderable goal tally of 42, but penalty-saving expert Diego Alves denied him, and the forward bungled his attempt at scoring the rebound.

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Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Bale was a lot quieter in the second period, but he continued to work hard on the right flank, helping out both in midfield and also in attack.

He helped create a chance for Hernandez, which was saved and put behind for the corner that led to Pepe's goal.

And though Isco's equaliser, when it came, was a brilliant individual effort, Bale will be credited with the assist after driving inside from the right and passing to the Spanish midfielder.

Despite this season being a difficult one for Bale, his performance against Valencia was impressive. He will need to repeat it against Juventus in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

But the likes of Ronaldo, Pepe and Sergio Ramos will have to step up a level if Real Madrid are to overturn the first-leg defeat.