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Ancelotti lauds Bale's immediate impact

Gareth Bale wheeled out his trademark celebration after opening his Real Madrid account © Getty Images

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Carlo Ancelotti has lauded Gareth Bale's immediate influence after Real Madrid's world record signing scored the opening goal on his debut for the club.

Bale was handed a start in his first match under Ancelotti, with the winger taking little time to begin repaying the £86 million fee Real shelled out to Tottenham for his services.

A goal and a strong presence in attack made Bale one of his side's best players in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Villarreal and Ancelotti is confident the 24-year-old will have a big impact at the Bernabeu.

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"I think he is happy because scoring the first goal for Real Madrid is very good for him," Ancelotti said. "It was a difficult game for him, as for all the players, but he showed a good attitude on the pitch."

Bale often switched wings with Cristiano Ronaldo throughout the match and Ancelotti suggested that will become a regular feature of Real's play.

"It was the first time they've played together and they will swap positions now and then because their movement is in towards goal from the wings," Ancelotti added. "But they might change wings sometimes, it's nothing out of the ordinary."

New recruit Asier Illarramendi also made his first league appearance for Real and was withdrawn from the match on the hour mark, with the two debutants earning praise from their coach.

"They played well. Their performances were good. I didn't play them for the full 90 minutes because in their first match it isn't a good idea, so after an hour I took them off."

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