The Welshman was hurt in the warm-up before
Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Getafe, but the
Argentina and Spain stars shone in his absence
and now look very difficult to displace
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By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer
It was supposed to be all about Gareth Bale.
The Welsh winger was poised to make his home
debut for Real Madrid on Sunday; in front of
70,000 expectant fans, the stage was set. But
injury intervened to force Bale out before he
had even started. And in his absence, Isco and
Angel di Maria threw down the gauntlet to
their expensive new team-mate.
Bale felt discomfort in the warm-up as he
attempted to shoot and was denied his dream
debut at the Santiago Bernabeu by a
troublesome left thigh which will require
further medical attention and tests on Monday.
"Bale has a small problem," coach Carlo
Ancelotti told the media after his side beat
Getafe 4-1. "We can't say if it is an injury; we
will have to wait until tomorrow to know
more."
The 24-year-old is now a doubt for the trip to
promoted side Elche on Wednesday, Ancelotti
admitted. And by the time he is back in
contention, the former Tottenham man now
not only faces a battle to regain full fitness for
his new club, but also a fight to make a first-
team place his own.
Earlier on Sunday, Madrid president Florentino
Perez spoke of his high hopes for the summer
signing. "Gareth has arrived to form part of a
spectacular team," the construction magnate
told socios at an annual assembly. "He was the
image and the marquee player of the Premier
League. He will help us win titles, La Decima
and more trophies - that's the challenge. Bale
is destined to define an era at Real Madrid."
First of all, however, he has to get fit; then he
has to win a place. And on Sunday's evidence,
Isco and Di Maria may have something to say
about that.
Isco's place should not be under threat. The
former Malaga man was due to be benched on
Sunday, but that was more likely to be because
Madrid play three times in a week and rotation
seemed logical. Nevertheless, he reacted
remarkably when called upon to fill in for
Bale, netting a lovely strike (his fifth in six
games since joining Real), setting up several
chances for his team-mates (including a cross
which Karim Benzema should have buried) and
showing some wonderful technique as he
linked up with his fellow forwards. In fact, the
21-year-old even had the Bernabeu fans on
their feet in the second half - and not many
players achieve that.
"Everyone can talk about Isco's talent,"
Ancelotti enthused afterwards. "He overcomes
pressure with great personality."
Di Maria's personality has also found favour
with the 54-year-old coach. The Argentine
looked set to leave the Spanish side in the
summer following Jose Mourinho's exit as
Madrid were willing to use him as bait in the
deal to bring Bale to the Bernabeu, but he
stood his ground and won over his new boss
with an impressive attitude on and off the
pitch which saw him move ahead of Mesut Ozil
(subsequently sold to Arsenal) in the pecking
order.
"He is a unique player both for his quality and
his commitment," Ancelotti purred. "He works
for the team and he helps the defenders. He is
very important for us."
Indeed he is.
Di Maria tracked back on countless occasions,
worked tirelessly to recover the ball and was
an omnipresent force as Madrid poured
forward. While Benzema was booed, the winger
won the applause of the home fans for his
unquestionable commitment and proved a
constant threat to the visiting defence. The
Argentine also helped set up the first goal and
was unfortunate not to score one of his own as
he hit two venomous efforts just off target.
Such was his work-rate, in fact, that Marca
later described the winger as "the soul" of the
Madrid side.
"I stayed here in Madrid because I want to
keep winning," the player himself said just last
week. "When the coach tells me to play I will,
and I will sit on the bench if he wants that. But
I want to earn the starting spot because up
until now I was playing regularly."
Ancelotti, of course, will be under pressure to
pick Bale following the club's huge investment
to bring the player to Madrid from Tottenham
for a world-record fee of €100 million. And
the Italian is also likely to rotate his stars as
the fixtures come in thick and fast over the
coming weeks. But as things stand, Isco and Di
Maria have thrown down the gauntlet for the
new kid in town. No matter what he costs,
Bale will have to earn his starting spot at
Madrid - just like everyone else. The hard work
begins now.
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