Bale on Ronaldo, Zidane and Manchester City
Monday, April 25, 2016
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Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinédine Zidane, the difficulties of playing for Real Madrid and English weather were all on the agenda as Gareth Bale faced the media on Monday.
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On returning to England, where he played for Southampton and Tottenham before joining Real Madrid …
Gareth Bale: It's great to be back in England. I certainly don't miss the cold weather, though! I'm really excited about the game. We know it will be difficult, but we are getting prepared. It will be exciting game for everyone to watch.
On how Madrid's away form in Europe having their quarter-final first leg 2-0 in Germany …
Bale: We are feeling confident. We weren't great in Wolfsburg, but we have learned from it and corrected some things. We needed to be more patient and not go for the kill straight away. We have to be smart and attack when we can, defend when we can. It is important to stick together.
We want to play our own game and impose ourselves on the opposition. The first leg is always tense and even cagey. It will be great to score goals and have a great performance.
On his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo …
Bale: The media creates something that's not there. Me and Cristiano get on really well. As a team we try and win games and trophies. The most important thing is the football on the pitch.
On the impact Zinédine Zidane has had on the team …
Bale: It's been amazing since he's come in. He has given the team the confidence and belief to go out and express ourselves on the pitch and long may this continue. Now we can win another game and hopefully take another step closer to the final.
On the difficulties of playing for Real Madrid …
Bale: It's always important to win major trophies, especially the Champions League. Real Madrid are known for winning the Champions League. You know and the squad as a whole knows the expectations and we thrive on that.
On how far Manchester City have come since Bale left the Premier League in 2013 …
Bale: I am surprised they haven't got here [the semi-finals] earlier. They have progressed well. They are a force in the Premier League and now it is starting in Europe. They have done very well so far, but hopefully we can stop them.
On playing in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals …
Bale: This is why we become players: to play in these games. It's another big game on the road to hopefully winning a trophy.