Two goals from Bale, then a siesta

The truth is I expected more. I think the Bernabéu did too. After the scare of Tuesday, the faithful fans deserved some enjoyment and the night, with the greatest of respect to Levante, appeared to offer the chance. And things started as if it was going to be that kind of night. There was Sergio Ramos, Modric too, half an hour already under his belt. They all came out champing at the bit, Bale more than anyone, and after being the focus of much of the recent criticism it was deservedly the Welshman who converted the initial fine period of play into two goals. Two poacher’s goals, a prize for the effort he was putting in. A prize that Cristiano missed out on – with the Portuguese striker looking anxious, missing lady luck and his sure touch.

The worst thing is that the team were content with 2-0, and this wasn’t a night to settle for just passing the exam, it was a night to go for top marks. But, unfortunately, everyone dropped the pace and Levante could breathe, because they’d escaped a thrashing. They had a solid second half, and nearly nabbing a goal at the death, first with a header from Víctor Casadesús and then from an El Zhar run. Both missed from good positions. A goal wouldn’t have put the result in danger, because Madrid would have reacted, or it’s to be supposed they would have, but it would have aggravated the already fraught nerves of the Bernabéu, where the fans are wary and divided.

Two goals from Bale, I was saying, after nine matches without scoring. It’ll be good for him, but that isn’t what he’s lacking, the problem is his slothfulness at getting back. He’s a player who goes but doesn’t come back. That’s where he should focus his anger, not in kicking corner flags, an ugly gesture that doesn’t help him. As to Cristiano, someday his guardian angels will return to protect him. Yesterday he hit the post, Ramis saved another on the line and a third hit Bale on its way in, meaning it’s the Welshman’s goal. But he was involved while the team was functioning well. What I don’t get is his free-kicks. He’s changed something in the way he takes them.

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