REAL REIGNS ON BALE POWER
Gareth’s double sends Liverpool’s Champions League dream crashing
After a season dominated by injuries and disappointment at dropping down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu, Gareth Bale showed why he was once the most expensive player in the world to win a third consecutive Champions League final for Real Madrid.
Gareth Bale scored twice including an incredible overhead kick after coming off the bench as Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final in Kiev.
Karim Benzema struck a bizarre opening goal on 51 minutes before Liverpool, who lost leading scorer Mohamed Salah to injury in the first half, replied through Sadio Mane.
Bale replaced Isco on the hour and connected with an outrageous acrobatic effort on 64 minutes to put Real back in front.
The Welshman sealed a record-extending 13th European Cup title for Real with seven minutes left as a dreadful mistake from Loris Karius allowed his longrange shot to find the net.
Yet, despite the euphoria, Bale refused to commit his future to Madrid after being left on the sidelins from the start, just as he had for last season’s final in his native Cardiff.
“Obviously I was very disappointed not to start the game, I felt I deserved it but the manager makes the decisions,” said Bale.
“I have to sit down with my agent in the summer and discuss it.” The Welshman didn’t waste any time in making an impact with an acrobatic bicycle kick that will live long in the memory as it looped over the helpless Loris Karius, on a miserable night for the German ‘keeper.
Karius had been at fault for Karim Benzema’s opener just after half-time, and he then spilled Bale’s 30yard strike into his own net seven minutes from time to seal Liverpool’s fate.
“The best (thing) I have been doing is to come on and make an impact. I certainly did (that),” added Bale.
“I just remember Marcelo clipping ball in, it was kind of at right height to give it a go and it was great to get the connection.” The 28year-old has now won four Champions League winner’s medals in five seasons since moving to Madrid.
And his wonder strike brought back memories of Zidane’s own magnificent volleyed winner to earn Madrid the Champions League title against Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park in 2002.
That even one of the greatest players of all-time reacted with such wonder at Bale’s brilliance on the touchline was testament to a strike worthy of winning any final.
Ronaldo exit?
It may also ensure that Bale’s future lies in the Spanish capital, particularly as Cristiano Ronaldo sensationally cast doubt on his future at the Bernabeu.
When Bale was signed many saw him as the future king at Real once Ronaldo’s powers began to wane.
“It was very nice to be at Real Madrid”, Ronaldo, 33, told BeIN Sports Spain.
“In the next few days I will give an answer to the fans, who have always been at my side,” said the five-time world player of the year, who appeared to target Real president Florentino Perez for a lack of support.
Bale has been linked with a return to the Premier League after growing frustrated by his lack of opportunities in the biggest games.
Great coach
He was one of the all-time greats as a player, and Zinedine Zidane now merits consideration as one of the game’s great managers after making history with Real Madrid on Saturday.
His team’s on a dramatic evening in Kiev allowed Zidane to become the first coach ever to win the Champions League in three consecutive seasons, with Real becoming the first team to achieve that feat in more than 40 years.
Less than two and a half years after being promoted from his position as coach of Real’s second team to his first managerial role at the highest level, the Frenchman has become only the third coach in the history of the game to lift the European Cup three times.
Leaving behind contemporaries Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, Zidane has equalled former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti, the man he used to serve as an assistant.
“I need to congratulate the players as it is not at all easy what they are doing,” Zidane said after the game in the Ukrainian capital.
“This is the business. There are no words for it. That is what this squad is all about. They have no limit to what they can do.” Zidane was reluctant to take too much of the credit after seeing his side secure their fourth Champions League title in five seasons, and the 13th in the club’s long love affair with the European Cup.
Karius howlers
Devastated Jurgen Klopp admitted he was shellshocked by ‘I really feel for him’ — Klopp agony as Karius howlers condemn Liverpool ‘s costly mistakes on Saturday.
Liverpool goalkeeper Karius played a huge role in his side’s misery in Kiev as he gifted Madrid two goals.
The 24-year-old handed Karim Benzema the opening goal when he threw the ball against the France forward and it rebounded into the net.
Then, with Liverpool hoping to snatch a late equaliser, Karius let Gareth Bale’s long-range effort slip through his grasp and into the net.
Karius was in tears after the final whistle, but tellingly not one of Liverpool’s shattered players went over to immediately console him.
Only Madrid’s jubilant stars acknowledged the German’s angst before, still sobbing uncontrollably, he went toward Liverpool’s supporters to hold his hands up in an attempt to apologise for his blunders.
While he wouldn’t publicly condemn Karius, Reds boss Klopp made it clear the difference in the match was the mistakes made by the man he signed from Mainz in 2016.
“Yeah, what can I say? Loris knows it, everybody knows it. It’s a shame, in a game like this and after a season like this. I really feel for him, he is a fantastic boy,” Klopp said.