Before the game against Finland in the League of Nations it was clear to everyone: Wales' bale is not Real's bale • After Giggs replaced him in the half everyone was clear: this is the same player in retreat • Today against Bulgaria he will try to prove otherwise
Gareth Bale.
The burden of proof is only on him
Photo:
AFP
Gareth Bale's return to his homeland, Wales, the national team and preparations for the League of Nations games should have woken the monster.
"It's nice to be back where fans appreciate you and love you unconditionally," the 31-year-old winger told "SKYSPORTS leaves no doubt as to how 'nice' he was this season at Real Madrid.
For Bale, replacing the white uniform and Zinedine Zidane with the red ones and Brian Giggs is equivalent to being released from prison and going out into the open air.
If Real had to strike him, Wales would have had to return him to work.
In the perfect scenario Bale was supposed to provide on Thursday a performance against Finland that would bring back the smile before him, but the scenario was far from perfect.
The Welsh star did not score or cook, did not deliver in depth and did not move width, did not kick to the frame, was accurate with just nine dedications and lost ten balls.
He was replaced after a bad 45 minutes that clarified one thing: Bale's problem is deeper than where he was.
Last week the world marked exactly seven years to the day the Welshman replaced Tottenham at Real Madrid and became the most valuable player of all time.
With four European Championships, important goals in two finals, two Spanish Championships, a Cup, 105 goals and lots of other big and important moments, it is impossible to determine that his time in the Spanish capital was a failure or a disappointment.
However, it is also hard to say that she was a great success.
Bale tries to get the ball in front of the Finland goalkeeper. Rust must be removed // Photo: AP
The Welsh may have started well, but faded over time.
Carlo Ancelotti took a lot out of him, but Zidane gave him little.
His muscles starred in the papers, but they could not stand the load.
He suffered many injuries, and in the last five seasons has failed to complete more than 1,800 minutes in a single season.
Following this fragility, Bale has also abandoned the black job, and in recent seasons has hardly facilitated, snatched or done these things that are not seen in the statistics pages, but connect actor to audience.
"Obviously he's not fit"
This gap between Bale's ability and his willpower Real's audience could not eat.
They never really connected with him, and certainly did not understand how it could be that last November, in the shadow of criticism of his tendency to concentrate on golf rather than football, he found himself in a Wales uniform waving a flag with the caption: "Wales, Golf, Madrid - in that order".
The white fans did not understand the man, and equally he did not understand them.
In recent years Bale has struggled to accept the fact that crowds at the Santiago Bernabeu are whistling at him.
He expected that in the difficult moments this audience would actually stand behind him, but this did not happen.
As a result, he lost confidence, the minutes of the game diminished, his fitness was impaired, and naturally the desire also went away.
"I wanted to leave Real last year, but the club has made it difficult for me," he said this week, and just like Leo Messi in Barcelona - he was forced to remain reluctant due to contract matters.
With that contract including two more years, a huge salary and an unclear future, the Wales team has been singled out as Bale's refuge.
With star status and full support from the coach, fans and the media, the team captain hoped that returning home would contribute to the removal of the rust.
The plan was that this week, in the first two rounds of the League of Nations, Real Madrid's troubles will be replaced by the Welshman's calm.
Bale in concluding training.
Not there yet // Photo: AP
Giggs has not hesitated with a place in the squad, although his star has only played twice since the Spanish league returned to action after the Corona break, but 45 minutes were enough for him to realize that Bale is not there yet.
"I thought of giving him between 45 and 60 minutes, but he's obviously not fit," the national team coach explained.
Wales are really doing everything they can to help Bale.
Giggs carefully divides his minutes, as he will do tonight against Bulgaria, while at the same time the media is supportive and caressing.
However, it is also clear to them that salvation will not come from minutes of play in the team, certainly not in the League of Nations.
Everyone unanimously agrees that if Bale really wants to "just go back to playing football", as he puts it, he must find a solution and leave Real Madrid immediately.
