Champions League: Gareth Bale to play in top tier of Europe for first time in two years if selected by Real Madrid

Former Tottenham player hopes for Turkish delight as Real Madrid visit Galatasaray

Jack Pitt-Brooke
Tuesday 17 September 2013 06:50 EDT
Comments
Gareth Bale trains in Istanbul ahead of tonight’s game
Gareth Bale trains in Istanbul ahead of tonight’s game (AFP/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Gareth Bale will make his first Champions League appearance for more than two years tonight if selected for Real Madrid’s tricky looking visit to Galatasaray.

It was during Tottenham’s Champions League campaign in 2010-11 that Bale made his name on the international stage, scoring a memorable hat-trick against Internazionale at San Siro.

Bale, of course, is now at Madrid and scored on his debut on Saturday, as his side drew 2-2 at Villarreal. Real begin their Champions League campaign in Turkey and it will not be easy. Pressure for success is constant at the Bernabeu, especially after a summer in which they have spent €160m (£135m) on Bale, Isco and Asier Illarramendi.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have to start well. They have Juventus in their group and so cannot afford to drop too many points to Galatasaray. The Turkish team have Champions League winners Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder in their ranks and reached the quarter-finals last year, where they were beaten 5-3 by Madrid over two legs. In the other game in the group, Copenhagen – coached by former Wolves manager Stale Solbakken – host Antonio Conte’s Juventus.

After two consecutive Serie A titles, and the summer signings of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, Juventus should make a serious impression in Europe this year. They drew 1-1 at Inter on Saturday.

Bayern Munich begin their defence of the Champions League tonight with a home game against CSKA Moscow. They have started well enough since Pep Guardiola replaced Jupp Heynckes, but are currently two points behind Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and after a lacklustre 2-0 home win over Hannover on Saturday, director of sport Matthias Sammer criticised his own players. “We are playing lethargically at times, playing football without any emotion and just going through the motions,” Sammer said.

The other game in Manchester United’s group is between Real Sociedad and Shakhtar Donetsk in San Sebastian.

Shakhtar were excellent last season, reaching the last 16 – where they lost 5-2 on aggregate to Dortmund – but they have had another summer of change. Fernandinho, Razvan Rat and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have all left, with another set of talented young South Americans stepping in, including Atletico Mineiro creator Bernard and Internacional’s Fred.

In Group C, big-spending Paris Saint-Germain travel to Olympiakos, while in the other game Benfica, who lost the Europa League final to Chelsea in May, host the Belgians Anderlecht.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in