August 17, 2019. Real Madrid opens the La Liga season away to Celta. Gareth Bale, who has been surrounded by talk of leaving all pre-season, suddenly finds himself in the starting lineup. Many were surprised, but Zidane decides to trust the Welshman’s experience and level. Before the match in Viga, the atmosphere at the Balaidos stadium was tense. Celta fans were waiting for their favorite club to face one of the most titled clubs in the world. Real Madrid failed to win a single trophy last season, which added extra pressure to the players and coaching staff. Bale, despite all the rumors about a possible transfer to another club, took to the field with the determination to demonstrate his best qualities. From the first minutes, he began to create chances, showing his speed and technique. His interaction with the forwards and midfielders looked promising, which inspired optimism among Real fans.
The first half was tense. Celta tried to control the ball, but Real managed to create several dangerous moments. Bale actively joined the attacks, and in one of the episodes he managed to shoot at the goal, but the ball flew past the target. Nevertheless, his confident play raised the team’s spirit. In the second half, Real increased the pressure. In the 56th minute, Bale finally opened the scoring, receiving a pass from Toni Kroos and elegantly shooting into the far corner. This was an important moment not only for the match, but also for the player himself, who had been under pressure from critics for a long time. The goal became a symbol of his readiness to stay and fight for a place in the team. After the goal, Celta tried to recoup, and the game became more open. Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois demonstrated excellent reaction, saving his team from dangerous shots. It was Bale who initiated many of the counter-attacks, creating space for his teammates.
Zidane used the substitutions tactically, bringing on fresh players who added speed and sharpness. In the end, the match ended 3-1 in favor of Real Madrid. Bale was named the best player of the match, which was a landmark moment in his career. After the match, the Real Madrid coach noted that Bale showed his true potential and importance to the team. This performance also reduced the tension around the player, and he began to feel more comfortable at Real. The fans, who were previously sceptical, began to support the Welshman again, hoping that he can regain his form and continue to help the team.
In the following weeks, Bale continued to show confident performances, which was the key to a successful start to the season for Real. His interaction with other players, especially with Eden Hazard, who also joined the team this season, was a key factor in the club’s attacking performances. Thus, the match against Celta was not only the beginning of the new season, but also an important stage in Gareth Bale’s career. He proved to everyone that he was ready to fight for a place in the team, and perhaps this was only the beginning of his renaissance at Real. With each match, Bale became more and more confident, and his contribution to the team’s success became more and more significant. The fans began to believe in him again, and this gave him strength. The season was just beginning, and there were many challenges ahead, but with such a start, Real had every chance of successfully performing in La Liga.
In the 12th minute, Real Madrid launched a quick attack: Bale bursts in from the left flank, moves to the center and rolls the ball to Benzema in time, who finishes with one touch. 0:1. It wasn’t just an assist, it was a smart play in space and an understanding of the moment. From that moment on, Real Madrid’s game took on new colors. The speed and aggressiveness of the attack allowed the team to dominate the field. Bale, given freedom of action, began to actively use his physical abilities and speed, which caused a lot of problems for Celta’s defenders. His confidence in his abilities grew with each passing minute. Celta responded to the missed goal by trying to organize counterattacks. But Real Madrid’s defensive line was at its best. Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos controlled the situation, preventing their opponents from creating dangerous moments. Each clearance of the ball ended with a new attack by Real Madrid.
In the 25th minute, Bale was again in the center of the action. He received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, dribbled past a defender and shot into the far corner. The Celta goalkeeper was able to block the shot, but Benzema, playing ahead, picked up the ball and made a second shot, which was also blocked. At this time, Bale was already ready for the next attempt, showing his readiness not to stop. With each attack of Real, confidence in their victory grew. In the 35th minute, after a combination in the center of the field, Bale, again intensifying the situation, made a penetrating pass to Toni Kroos. He, in turn, found space for a shot, which, fortunately for Celta, ended up over the crossbar. At half-time, coach Zidane held a short talk with the team, emphasizing the importance of ball control and continuing aggressive play. He understood that the team must maintain the tempo and not give the opponent a chance to return to the game.
In the second half, Celta tried to change the game, making several substitutions and strengthening the attacking line. However, Real was ready for this. Bale continued to actively press the defenders, not giving them a chance to accelerate. In the 60th minute, he demonstrated his skills again, intercepting the ball in the opponent’s half of the field and organizing a counterattack. The comparison with last season was obvious: this time Real looked like a united and purposeful team. Each player knew his role and acted in a coordinated manner. Bale, who had previously been criticized for his lack of activity, became one of the key players in this game. In the 75th minute, he again found himself at the forefront of the attack. Having received the ball from Casemiro, Bale went into the penalty area and, feeling the pressure of the defender, made a clever pass to Lucas Vazquez, who was at the far post. A successful final strike brought Real the second goal, and the score became 0:2.
The fans took this game as a sign of Real’s return to the top of Spanish football. Bale, supported by the stands, felt confident, and his play became more and more spectacular. After the final whistle, the atmosphere on the pitch was one of joy and relief. The match was not only a successful start to the season, but also a significant moment for Bale, who proved that despite all the rumors, he is still capable of being one of the best. His assist and active actions on the pitch became the basis for the team’s further success. With such performances, Real could count on titles this season. New challenges awaited them ahead, but with such a start and attitude, the team was ready to fight for trophies. Bale and his teammates had to maintain this level of play in order not to disappoint their fans and return Real to the podium.
In the 80th minute, with the score at 1:2, Bale once again demonstrated his composure and precision – a through ball to Lucas Vazquez, who put the finishing touches on the match. 1:3, and both goals were scored by the Welshman. This moment was the culmination of not only the game, but the entire match for Real Madrid. Immediately after the goal, the stands were filled with joyful cries from Real Madrid fans, who had long been waiting for such a performance from their team. Bale, surrounded by his teammates, smiled as he noted his role in this success. His confidence and determination were evident, and he was once again the player everyone expected to see this season. Zidane, watching the events unfold, knew that his team was playing a great game.
He made the right choice by trusting Bale with a place in the starting lineup, which was now bearing fruit. This match not only symbolized the Welshman’s return, but also proved that Real Madrid is capable of playing attacking and effective football. After the third goal, Celta found themselves in a difficult situation. They needed not only to score, but also to change the course of the match, but Real Madrid looked confident and united. The defenders coped with the opponent’s attempts, and goalkeeper Courtois continued to demonstrate excellent reflexes. Each clearance of the ball turned into a new attack, and Real Madrid were not going to stop there. Bale continued to be active on the field, trying to increase his influence on the game. He actively moved, creating space for both himself and his teammates.
