Lopetegui´s Bale project ´has only just begun´

Julen Lopetegui is confident Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are set to enjoy productive campaigns for Real Madrid in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bale has struggled for consistent playing time due to injury problems in recent years, but has led from the front during Madrid’s impressive pre-season, scoring in each of the team’s last three matches.

And the 29-year-old Wales international is now under pressure to fill the void left by the departure of Ronaldo, who signed for Juventus in July. 

“I’m not going to talk about past seasons,” head coach Lopetegui told a news conference after Bale struck in the 3-1 win over AC Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

“The Bale we have now is committed, content, wanting to have a great season. He is training very well, happy, and we are so happy with him. This has only just begun.”

Real Madrid 3-1 Milan
WATCH ALL GOALS
Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/GlYYCaCIQ7

— Real Madrid C.F.