By Daily Sports on August 20, 2018

Gareth Bale made it three consecutive seasons scoring on the opening day of the season to give Real Madrid a win in their first league match without Cristiano Ronaldo.

He made the first which was headed in by Dani Carvajal and added the second after the break as Julen Lopetegui won his first La Liga game as coach.

The stadium was almost half empty to watch the win with the lowest gate since pre-Ronaldo Real Madrid. But as they look for someone to replace the goal-a-game Portuguese Bale stepped up to see off Getafe.

He was at the heart of all Real Madrid’s best play in the first half and had their best early chance dive-heading Marcelo’s cross on to the bar. When the first goal came he provided the assist.

He had been busy down the right but he switched to the left and when Getafe keeper David Soria punched his centre away it dropped on to Dani Carvajal’s head. The full-back looped it back over Soria and Madrid had the lead.

Marco Asensio should then have picked out Bale but tried to find the top right corner instead and the shot went wide. Getafe were now showing their frustration with Mauro Arambarri clipping Nacho’s ankles and Jorge Molina going through the back of Toni Kroos.

Molina was booked and so was Damian for pushing Sergio Ramos into the back of the net. It would have been a Madrid penalty had Ramos not been flagged offside when the cross came in.

Amath Diaye then punched Carvajal in face but only received a yellow card. Djene Ortega was then booked for kicking Karim Benzema. He was lucky not to walk win the a second half but his reckless challenge went unpunished.

Madrid remained on top and Ramos smashed in what he thought was the second but was penalized for grappling with Leandro Cabrera.

Madrid keeper Keylor Navas’ only involvement saw him smarlty off his line to smoother danger.

He was in the starting line-up ahead of Courtois once more. The changing of the guard in the Real Madrid goal will come eventually but respect is being shown to the keeper who has won one league and three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid.

Madrid had enjoyed 74 percent of possession and the football had been good but they had kicked off their first post-Ronaldo season with their lowest gate since before he signed for the club.

Only 48,466 were inside the 81,000 arena. Traditional August holidays always bring lower gates at the start of the season but Madrid’s attendance was the lowest since May 2009 when only 44,270 turned up to watch the team play Mallorca - the season before Ronaldo joined.

Those watching on holiday saw the second fly in from Bale’s trusty left boot. Asensio dispossessed Djene and spotted the Welshman with his hand up at the back post. The cross was good and the finish was even better with his shot beating keeper at his near post.

Asensio then hit the post after good work from Marcelo. Madrid were in full flow now and with 20 minutes left Luka Modric came on to huge applause. In the absence of major signings, the Croatian staying has been the best news Madrid supporters have received all summer.

The home side threatened the third with Marcelo now pouring forward at every opportunity.

In one raid he released Asensio who appeared to be pushed by Bruno Gonzalez but the referee waved away appeals and refused to consult VAR, fully operative in La Liga this season.

Also fully operative is Bale. He had made it three straight seasons scoring on the first game. And Madrid had won comfortably without Ronaldo. (Daily Mail)

•Photo shows Real Madrid's Gareth Bale

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 20, 2018

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