Gareth Bale: Finally finding his feet at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid were in thrilling form as they defeated Elche 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos had to make it without Cristiano Ronaldo, but that did not prove to be a problem at all. Former Tottenham star Gareth Bale produced his best goal for Real Madrid to lead Los Blancos to a 3-0 win over Elche.
Gareth Bale used his speed to make trouble for the Elche defense; however, it took him quite a while to get into the game. He did manage to win two dribbles and get off five shots, but it was his wonder goal that stole the show.

Bale is still transitioning to Spanish football, and with more games he will only get better. In truth, fans were really excited to see a trademark Bale strike for the first time with the club.

After his record-breaking £91m transfer from Spurs in the summer, Gareth Bale has struggled to make the impact expected at Real Madrid and fans at the Santiago Bernabeu were getting impatient.

However Bale has finally regained full fitness and appears reinvigorated - as demonstrated by his 30-yard rocket against Elche.

Bale’s strike, delivered with his left foot, took just seconds to arrow into the net, and Real Madrid fans just what their club had broken the world transfer record for.

Despite the criticism, Bale has now managed 13 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions and has grabbed 10 assists, more than any other player at the club.

The goal was the 16th Real have scored from outside the box this season, more than any other team in La Liga, and propelled them to a victory which makes them favourites to take the title in May.
Real are now three points clear of Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, both of whom lost this weekend.

With Real having already booked a place in the Copa del Rey final, in addition to their current position at the top of La Liga [at the time of writing], it could yet be a monumental season in the club’s history. They are also looking to win an unprecedented 10th Champions League title, their first for 12 years, as their campaign resumes in midweek with a trip to Schalke in the round of 16.

Winning Europe’s elite prize is the primary target for Real, and Bale’s form could be a huge factor in whether they succeed. As the fixtures come thick and fast, those early-season injuries could be key as the Wales star’s legs will undoubtedly feel fresh considering his lack of game time. If he continues to score goals like the one against Elche when Ronaldo returns, then Madrid certainly have a chance of achieving their aim.

Saturday’s strike won’t stop the doubters completely, but if this is Bale in bad form then Madrid are in for a treat when he reaches his best.