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Gareth Bale says he feels more involved this season under new Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez and his happy with his role in the team.

The Welshman scored twice in the 5-0 win over Real Betis two weeks ago and followed that up by grabbing a couple of assists in the 6-0 thrashing of Espanyol this weekend.

Bale, who is in his third season at the Santiago Bernabeu now, suffered a difficult campaign last season as he was played out wide by Carlo Ancelotti. Fans and the Spanish media started to get on his back and he was jeered on a few occasions.

Speaking to PA Sport, the 25-year-old revealed he is enjoying his new role playing just behind the striker and admits he is much happier with life in the Spanish capital.

“I feel like I am more involved this year now. The first year you are running off adrenaline from having just signed – you are so happy to be at the club and that drives you on. But in the second year I felt a little bit left out wide and not getting so much of the ball but now I feel involved in the play and I think that is showing in the games that I am able to assist goals and score goals,” he stated.

He then went on to talk about the team’s form, adding that they are working hard to improve every game.

“We are working hard on the training ground and on the pitch and it’s coming together. We just want to score as many goals as we can. We have been focused since day one. It was not the greatest result from the first result but we have come back very strong with a 5-0 and a 6-0. We are feeling confident and looking strong.”

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Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says his friend and former team mate Angel di Maria will succeed at PSG but he’s surprised his move to Manchester United didn’t work out.

The Argentine winger left the Santiago Bernabeu last summer for Old Trafford but spent only one season in the Premier League as he struggled with the physical nature of the game and also to Louis van Gaal’s methods.

Just 12 months later, he was sold to PSG, and is set to come up against his former team mates in the next couple of months as the Ligue 1 champions will go head-to-head with Los Blancos in the group stage of the Champions League.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Benzema said di Maria has all it’s got to be a success in Laurent Blanc’s team.

“Di Maria is a great guy! I have a great understanding with him, not just in a football sense but as a person too. He has it all – speed, percussion and technique,” he stated.

And he added: “At Real Madrid, he did everything – he played in the middle, on the wing and even at left-back. He is cool and funny. A great teammate. After the great season he had made ​​in 2014, when we won the Champions League and he reached the World Cup final, I was very surprised it didn’t work out at United.

“In a team, there is not one player who can do everything by himself, but Di Maria can help a lot in the Champions League because he has the experience of big games and knows all about playing at a high level.”

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Casemiro

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro says every member of the squad is vital and will play their part throughout the season.

The Brazilian played the entire game for Los Blancos in their 6-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday afternoon in a reshuffled midfield as Colombian winger James Rodriguez missed out through injury.

Casemiro spent last season on loan at Porto where he starred in central midfield so much so that Rafa Benitez decided to bring him back and make him part of his first team plans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In the mixed zone after the game, the 23-year-old told journalist he was happy to contribute to the team and added that every player has their part to play over a long season.

He commented: “I’m here to play and to help the squad. All 23 of us are extremely important players in terms of the squad and we know we have to be ready to play at a moment’s notice, which is something the manager is always telling us.

“Last year I wasn’t able to be here but this year’s squad is excellent. We’re molding ourselves into the manager’s vision. We’re on the right track.”

He then switched his attention to Real’s next game, saying: “We won today and know we have to focus on the Champions League and our upcoming game against Shakhtar.”

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Real Madrid are progressing well under Rafa Benitez so far this season, according to defender Pepe.

The Portuguese featured in the 6-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday in which compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo scored five times with Karim Benzema grabbing a goal for himself.

Los Blancos started the La Liga campaign in disappointing fashion with a goalless draw at Sporting Gijon but responded by beating Real Betis 5-0 before the international break.

Talking to reporters after the game, 32-year-old Pepe said the team was getting to grips with Benitez’ methods and the team is starting to gel nicely.

“Just like we did against Betis, today we put in a great performance, created loads of chances and pressed the opposition well. To add to that we have Cristiano, who is just incredible. He played a fantastic game and deserves all the plaudits,” he stated.

And he added: Managing to keep a cleansheet over three games is the work of the whole team and it is important that the results of that work are reflected on the pitch. It is a great credit to the defenders as well as the forward players.

“Things didn’t go that well for us against Sporting Gijon, although that was also down to them being extremely eager and giving us a tough game. Things went better for us against Betis, just as they did today, and bit by bit we are getting into our stride, which is what the manager has been asking of us.”

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Luka Modric

Luka Modric says his Real Madrid team mates are delighted with all aspects of their performance against Espanyol.

Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed the headlines with his five goals as Madrid won 6-0 but some of the other positives to emerge from the game were another clean sheet and the cameo appearance of new signing Mateo Kovacic who showed he has what it takes to be the long-term successor to his compatriot in Real’s midfield.

Talking to journalists after the game, Modric said the players were going back to Madrid happy with their work.

“We got off the mark quickly and that made things easier for us. We played really well. We’re very happy to not have conceded and to have scored so many goals. We have to continue playing like that,” he said.

Speaking about Rafa Benitez’ decision to take him off after 56 minutes for Kovacic to come on, Modric said rotation is important.

“The manager wants to give everyone a run out, especially in games like today’s when things are going well for us. The most important thing is the team, it doesn’t matter which of us are rested.”

And about his fellow countryman, who signed from Inter Milan in the summer, he said: “He’s a great player. He has bags of talent and quality. He did very well today when he came on.”

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas says the players will take plenty of confidence into their game against Shakhtar Donesk during the week following the emphatic win against Espanyol.

Los Blancos won 6-0 with striker Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing the headlines by becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer in La Liga – his five goal moving him ahead of Raul’s 228 to 230.

At the other end though, Real kept their third clean sheet of the season – something Navas was keen to praise his defenders for when he spoke to reporters after the game.

“The whole team did a great job and we leave here with a very positive feeling. We want our back line to be one of our strong points this year and so far we have been achieving that goal. I’m confident, at ease and eager to work hard,” he commented.

And he added: “When the goals come quickly it fills you with confidence and that helps the team control games better. Now we need to focus on the Champions League and fingers crossed we’ll be able to hang onto this level of confidence to win.”

The Costa Rican then had some special words for Ronaldo, stating: “He’s incredible. We all know full well that he’s the best player in the world and we’re delighted to have him on our team.”

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Rafa Benitez says Cristiano Ronaldo has secured his place in the history books following his five-goal haul against Espanyol.

Los Blancos routed the Catalans 6-0 on Saturday with Karim Benzema getting the other goal. But the limelight was very much on Ronaldo, who’s goals saw him surpass legendary striker Raul as the club’s leading scorer in La Liga with 230.

Speaking at his press conference after the game, Benitez hailed the Portuguese forward. He stated: “The numbers speak for themselves. Someone who scores so many goals definitely has a place in the history books. I hope that he can continue to add to his goalscoring account for his own benefit and that of the team”

He added: “I like talking about the team when they get a victory of this magnitude. You have to really put an emphasis on the five goals and the fact that he could have scored more.”

The boss was then asked for his thoughts on the season so far. Los Blancos are two points behind leaders Barcelona in the table after three games.

“The aim was to win, score more goals than the opponent, look to create attacking chances and work in defence. Once we had such a big advantage we had to help Navas obtain that record for the first three league games without conceding, a feat that nobody had managed in such a long time,” he commented.

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Real Madrid played a superb game to demolish Espanyol thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, who made a fantastic performance scoring five goals. Karim Benzema completed the goal fest netting his second of the season.

The Portuguese star opened the score after eight minutes as he latched on to a Luka Modric cross and easily slotted past Pau Lopez.

With 17 minutes on the clock, Alvaro Gonzalez brought Gareth Bale down inside the box and the referee conceded the penalty kick. Ronaldo stack it right in the corner putting Los Blancos in cruise control.

Three minutes later, the Portugal international secured a hat-trick thanks to Bale’s exquisite cross. Ronaldo had it on a plate to tap home.

Benzema made it four before the half-hour mark. Bale played in Ronaldo, who had a ridiculous amount of space on the left-hand side, before he passed across the face of goal for the Frenchman to tap in.

15 minutes after the break, Ronaldo netted his fourth again only needing to tap home from inside the box after Bale stuck it on a plate for him.

The 30-year-old sealed the score with ten minutes to go following a great play from Lucas Vazquez, who skipped around Canas before pulling back for the Portuguese, who drilled first time into the bottom corner.

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Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez says his players are confident ahead of this afternoon’s game against Espanyol and are well able to cope with the absences of James Rodriguez and Danilo.

The pair picked up injuries on international duty and will be sidelined for around a month. Daniel Carvajal and Isco are expected to cover.

Speaking ahead of the game, Benitez told reporters he was pleased with what he’d seen in training and the squad was excited to get back to league action after the two-week break for international fixtures.

“We are excited, enthusiastic and confident, we also really respect the opponents. The best thing I can say about my group of players is that they train really well. The players that remained here during the break have trained brilliantly. Those that have returned have trained well and with enthusiasm,” he stated.

The former Liverpool and Napoli boss went on to give his thoughts on the international games and like he’s stated on previous occasions, believes there are too many matches and the demands on players these days is immense.

“I mentioned it at a managers meeting. There are too many games. Someone decides the way things are done. We see that players are going to play unimportant games. I think it is good that FIFA provides compensation for injuries. They should do so according to the damage caused to teams. If a player worth millions goes and plays an unimportant game, gets injured and continues to be paid by the club, and the club cannot do anything, then paying compensation is absolutely essential,” he commented.

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Espanyol vs Real Madrid La Liga preview

Real Madrid visit Espanyol in the third date of La Liga hoping to cut the differences with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga, as Azulgranas and Rojiblancos will meet at the Vicente Calderon.

Rafa Benitez will seek his second consecutive win in the league but has to cope with some important absences. James Rodriguez will be sidelined for one month after suffering a muscle injury with the Colombia national team and Danilo will also stay out after tearing his plantar fascia in a Brazil game.

Thus, Daniel Carvajal will return to right back, replacing the Brazilian, and Isco is expected to feature in midfield replacing James.

Some Madrid newspapers have reported recent signing Mateo Kovacic could have his first chance to play as a starter in order to let Luka Modric rest ahead of the Champions League opener against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Espanyol manager Sergio Gonzalez will miss Marco Asensio and Burgui, who are on loan from Real Madrid and have a clause in their contract that forbids them to play against Los Blancos. Abrahan Gonzalez is also a loss due to injury.

Possible line-ups:
Espanyol: Pau Lopez; Arbilla, Alvaro, Raillo, Duarte; Montanes, Javier Lopez, Victor Sanchez, Victor Alvarez; Caicedo, Gerard Moreno.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kovacic, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

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