Gareth Bale can exploit space and punish Man City says ex-Real Madrid man Fernando Morientes
Tuesday 26 April 2016 12:07, UK
Gareth Bale will seize the chance to remind Premier League fans what he is capable of in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City, according to former Real Madrid and Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes.
Bale looks set for his first competitive start against an English side since leaving Tottenham to join Real Madrid in a world-record £85m deal in 2013, when Los Blancos visit the Etihad for the first leg on Tuesday.
The Wales international is yet to score in the Champions League this season but Morientes is confident Bale will show his class over two legs against Manuel Pellegrini's side.
"This is a very good opportunity for him," the 46-cap Spain international told Sky Sports News HQ.
"The problem for Bale is that when teams play against Real Madrid it's always slow. They play close to their own goalkeeper and there is not too much space and it is very difficult for him to play like this.
"But he is one of the best players in La Liga and he has a very good opportunity to play well. I know the Real Madrid supporters have a lot of confidence in him."
Bale's team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is the Champions League's all-time leading scorer with 93 goals, including 16 in this year's competition, doubling the tally of nearest rivals Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski and Luis Suarez.
Ronaldo spent six years playing for City's bitter rivals United, but Morientes does not believe that will give the Portugal international any additional motivation on his return to Manchester.
"Cristiano is always motivated in each game," said Morientes, a three-time Champions League winner with Real.
"He is the best player at Real Madrid. He always wants to win and he always wants to score a goal.
"Cristiano has a very strong mentality and he would be the same whether he played against Manchester City, Liverpool or even Manchester United. He always has the same mentality which is to score a goal and be the best."
The only other meetings between the sides in Europe's premier competition came in the 2012/13 group stages, with Manchester City drawing 1-1 at home before losing 3-2 in Madrid two months later.
"I think Real Madrid will be happy with the semi-final draw," Morientes added.
"The team they really wanted to avoid was Atletico Madrid because they have a different style of play but Manchester City have a style like Real Madrid.
"I think there could be a lot of goals in these two games. Both teams have very good players and I think it will be a very good Champions League semi-final."
