Gareth Bale may have found the back of the net, but his deeper struggles at Real Madrid continue to surface. In the recent Champions League clash against APOEL, Bale delivered his best performance of the season — not just scoring but also assisting Cristiano Ronaldo and contributing to Sergio Ramos’ goal. With Ronaldo back on the pitch, Bale’s burden has clearly lightened, and the Welshman looked far more comfortable in his role.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return seems to have lifted a weight off Bale’s shoulders. When defenders shift their focus to stopping Ronaldo, it creates space for Bale to unleash his strengths — especially on the counterattack. In fact, his goal against Real Sociedad, where he sprinted 73 meters at a top speed of 35 km/h, reminded fans of the “Welsh Express” at full throttle. Yet despite such flashes of brilliance, there’s still tension in the air.

At the Bernabéu, Bale was booed by some fans when substituted, but his teammates clapped him off in solidarity — hoping to shift the narrative. Bale can regain the fans’ affection, but only if he consistently returns to his top form. As Bangla Cricket Live analysts note, Real Madrid is evolving into a team that values passing rhythm and collective play — areas where Bale still appears out of sync.

The stats paint a telling picture. In the away match against Real Sociedad, despite scoring a goal reminiscent of his prime, Bale only touched the ball 43 times in 90 minutes — a number that underscores his disconnect from the team’s midfield build-up. He struggled to link up with teammates, often finding himself isolated on the wing while the rest of the team operated centrally.

Manager Zinedine Zidane tried freeing Bale by assigning Mayoral the number nine role, but even then, Bale failed to integrate into the team’s passing game. Too many of his passes went backward or sideways, with little impact in the final third. His deep runs lacked support, and he often received the ball with his back to goal, unable to make any real threat.

Bangla Cricket Live coverage highlights that Bale’s best moments still come in fast-paced, open-field situations. However, as Madrid’s style becomes more possession-oriented, the window for Bale to shine in his traditional way is narrowing. To reclaim his place as a key figure, Bale must not only stay fit but also adapt — or risk being left behind in a system that’s moving on without him.