Tango-Tiger

Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale Will Focus On Wales And Euro 2020 Before Revealing Club Future



Gareth Bale regularly shines on the international stage, thriving on the responsibility of being Wales’ talisman.

This summer’s European Championship has seen Wales show signs they could repeat their run to the semi-finals in 2016. Even if they don’t go as deep into the tournament as they did five years ago, the hope they have given their compatriots is certainly comparable.

A 1-0 defeat to Italy in their final group game wasn’t enough to dislodge them from second place in Group A and automatic qualification for the last 16.

Wales most important result in the group was a 2-0 win against Turkey. In that game, Bale missed a penalty and spurned a good chance on the counter-attack with the opponent outnumbered.

His spot-kick ballooned into the stands (which in itself takes some doing given how far those stands are from the pitch in Baku) and he was tackled by Caglar Soyuncu to end that potentially dangerous break.

Taken in isolation, these moments suggest Bale was unable to have the desired impact on the game. A glance at the scoresheet shows the names of Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts rather than the Real Madrid man.

But Bale still played a key role, and the way in which he did so was encouraging for a player who is about to reach the twilight of his career.

What will a mid-30s Bale play like?

Though some of the searing pace will be lost, he will still be quicker than many players for a year or two yet and his all-round play might even have improved. pg slot

He’s good in the air as well as technically gifted so can hold up the ball in a number of ways. He could work as a fairly unique cross between a target man, creator and second striker behind any type of centre forward.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing for Bale’s longevity were the passes played to Aaron Ramsey to create clear chances for Wales in that game against Turkey, one of which resulted in the all-important go-ahead goal.

He possesses a secret weapon of a long throw, and there’s a directness to all parts of his game. This was evident in his second assist against Turkey as he drove into the area from the right before setting up Connor Roberts.

Bale’s name may not have been on the scoresheet, but he created both goals.