• La Liga

Ancelotti plays down Bale integration concerns

ESPN staff
January 15, 2014
Ancelotti: Bale will get better


Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says that Gareth Bale's recent low-key performances are due to his lack of match-fitness, not any issues adapting to the team's style of play.

The former Tottenham man's up-and-down start to his Madrid career has continued this month, with injury again limiting his minutes on the pitch.

Bale returned to the starting line-up for recent games against Osasuna and Espanyol, but the natural left-footer still sometimes looks uncomfortable on the right wing when teammates try to build play patiently against deep-set defences.

However, he can be devastatingly effective when given the ball in space on the break, and Ancelotti told AS that he had no concerns about how the £86 million signing - who has not scored since November - was getting accustomed into Madrid's style of play.

"It could be that [Bale] did not participate much in the last games, but that does not mean he is not integrated in the team," Ancelotti said. "He had this injury from a bang in training, and for him it is very important to be in top physical condition. It is not a problem of him fitting in, just a physical thing."

Madrid boss did however suggest that Bale might be following a similar path to Luka Modric, who also took a while to settle after his big-money move from Spurs in summer 2012, but is now proving himself one of Madrid's most important players in his second season at the club.

"Maybe last year Luka had some problems settling in his first year," Ancelotti said. "But he has more confidence now, he knows his teammates better. He has more responsibility to play more. He is in a good moment - but tomorrow he will rest."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close