More glory for Bale?

The 2014/15 campaign was one to forget for Gareth Bale but he is back on track and bidding for his second Champions League winners’ medal in three years at Real Madrid, writes Nick Wright.

On a tense night at the Bernabeu a little over a year ago, Real Madrid’s hopes of reaching a second consecutive Champions League final were hanging precariously in the balance. The Spanish giants needed a goal to force extra-time against Juventus, but their European dream ended with Gareth Bale spurning a string of scoring chances. From seven shots he managed to hit the target with just one. 

It was the nadir of a difficult second season for Bale, whose impressive debut campaign felt like a distant memory as fans and the Spanish press turned on the under-performing forward. Expectations at Real Madrid are like nowhere else, and Bale’s stay in Spain was descending into a nightmare under the constant scrutiny that accompanied his £85m transfer.

This season has been another reminder of how quickly the picture can change in the Real Madrid pressure cooker. Bale has re-established himself as a key player alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, and from his lowest ebb against Juventus last year, he can join a list of just five British players to win two Champions Leagues in Saturday’s final. At 26, he would also be the youngest to achieve the feat.

It is fitting that Atletico Madrid are the opponents again. It was Bale’s extra-time goal that swung the 2014 final in Real’s favour as they clinched La Decima, and he …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com