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MADRID. — After a prolonged transfer saga that reportedly made him the world’s most expensive soccer player, Gareth Bale could finally make his debut for Real Madrid today when Los Blancos travel to Villarreal. Bale’s move from Tottenham Hotspur finally went through on September 1, but due to the international break the 24-year-old has had to wait another two weeks for the opportunity to dawn the famous white shirt for the first time.
The break did however give Bale some valuable time on the field to regain match sharpness as he played the final half hour of Wales’ 3-0 defeat to Serbia on Tuesday in what was his first game since mid-July.
And Bale will make his debut for Real Madrid against Villarreal today, coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed.
The 24-year-old joined Real from Tottenham for £85.3m on September 1 but has not played a full match yet this season because of a foot injury.
He managed 32 minutes in Wales’ 3-0 defeat by Serbia on Tuesday.
“Bale will travel and will play. I’m not sure if he will start or come off from the bench,” said Ancelotti.
The Italian also confirmed in a media conference yesterday that he plans to play Bale as a right-sided attacker.
“Bale came here without having a normal pre-season, but his condition is not bad,” added the ex-Chelsea manager. “He has no injuries, he is excited and very motivated.
“He’s arrived full of enthusiasm and he is very happy to be at the team he wanted to join.
“He is a humble player who likes to be with his teammates. He fits in well with the squad.”
On Thursday, Bale said he hoped to be fit enough to start at Villarreal as visitors Real look to stretch their 100% winning start in La Liga to a fourth match.
“Obviously (after signing) I went straight away on international duty, which probably wasn’t the best, but I’ve been back in the last two days now,” he added.
“The boys have been very nice to me and made me settle quickly and it’s just an honour to be here.
“I feel good. I’ve been training with Wales.
“I’ve had two good sessions (at Madrid on Wednesday).
“I’m a bit behind everybody else physically but hopefully I can catch up as soon as possible.”
Bale’s price tag meant he overtook new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s most expensive footballer. The Portuguese joined Real for £80m from Manchester United in 2009.
Of meeting Ronaldo, Bale said: “It was amazing. He’s a nice guy, he made me feel welcome just like everybody else did. “I’m just looking forward to getting on the pitch and doing well.”
Real, who have won their first three league matches, visit Turkish side Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.
It was initially not expected that coach Ancelotti would start his new star at El Madrigal, but Bale was also hoping to be involved at some point.
“I have had two good training sessions and I am improving. I hope to be up to speed as soon as possible,” he said at a promotional event on Thursday.
And should Bale be involved there has been much conjecture as to where he will fit into Madrid’s system with Cristiano Ronaldo occupying his preferred spot on the left side of the attack.
“I will play in the position that the coach tells me and I will give 100 percent for the team.
“I hope that my integration into the team will be good and that you’ll be able to see that on the pitch.”
Ancelotti is expected to have Ronaldo and Isco available as they trained on Thursday after picking up slight injuries whilst on international duty.
However, the Italian has a problem at left-back with both Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao out injured so Nacho, who won his first Spanish cap on Tuesday, could be handed a start in an unfamiliar position.
After a somewhat unconvincing start to the campaign despite winning all three of their games so far, Madrid will be in for a real test against a Villarreal side who have also made a 100 percent start to the season on their return to the top flight.
“Last year we dreamt about playing against these teams and now this opportunity has arrived we want to play a great game,” Villarreal midfielder Bruno told the club’s website. — AFP.
Fixtures
Today: Atletico Madrid v Almeria (4pm), Levante v Real Sociedad (6pm), Barcelona v Sevilla (8pm), Villarreal v Real Madrid (10pm)
Tomorrow: Granada v Espanyol (12noon), Getafe v Osasuna (5pm), Malaga v Rayo Vallecano (7pm), Real Betis v Valencia (9pm)
Monday: Elche v Valladolid (8pm), Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (10pm).
Online Reporter