‘Real working as a unit now’

Grabbing headlines: Real midfielder Gareth Bale, centre, has cashed in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure by scoring three goals in La Liga.

Gareth Bale has won four Champions Leagues in five years at Real Madrid, but believes the Spanish giant can be even better in its quest for a 14th European crown despite the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bale has shone in the spotlight since Ronaldo’s departure for Juventus, scoring in all of Real’s opening three La Liga wins and set up the equaliser for Isco in a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

‘A little different’

“Obviously it’s going to be a little different from having such a big player there,” Bale told British newspaper the Daily Mail .

 

“It’s maybe a bit more relaxed, yes. I suppose there is more of a team, more working as one unit rather than one player.”

Fired by his anger at being left out of the starting line-up in Zinedine Zidane’s last match in charge of Madrid, Bale came off the bench to score twice in last season’s Champions League final to beat Liverpool 3-1.

However, it is Ronaldo’s goals that has led Real to so much success on the continent in recent times. The Portuguese has been the competition’s top scorer for the past six seasons.

 

But ahead of its Champions League opener against last season’s semifinalist Roma on Wednesday, Bale insists Real can be even better this season.

“We can be even better again,” he added.

“Another start and another challenge. We’re ready for it.”