Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 8y

Gareth Bale praised by Zinedine Zidane after Real Sociedad win

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said he was delighted to see a fully-fit Gareth Bale showing his worth after the Welshman was again the match-winner in Saturday's 1-0 win at Real Sociedad.

The visitors did not have it all their own way at Anoeta, but with just 11 minutes remaining Bale rose to head in his 19th La Liga goal of the season to secure a win that keeps Madrid's title challenge on track.

For a second consecutive week, the former Tottenham star was able to fire his side to victory in the absence of fellow attackers Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who are currently sidelined through injury.

With Madrid heading towards Wednesday's Champions League semifinal second leg at home to Manchester City with doubts remaining as to whether Ronaldo and Benzema will recover, Zidane told his postmatch news conference that it was important Bale has rediscovered his form.

"I'm happy for him, as he has had many issues with injury this season," he said. "When you see him playing well, playing the full 90 minutes, and also when he is scoring goals, you are happy for him.

"Gareth had some problems, but he is recovering physically very well. At the end of the season he is very important for us, scoring goals in such important games like today, and ahead of Wednesday. He could have scored earlier too, but we had to suffer, to fight.

"The lads today knew they had to fight until the end. I am very happy with the work, and to get three more points today."

Los Blancos went into the weekend in third place, just one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, with just three games remaining for all sides.

The win against Real Sociedad put them temporarily top of the table, ahead of Atletico's home game with Rayo Vallecano and Barca's trip to Real Betis later on Saturday.

"We have done our job. That is the most important thing," Zidane said. "We will see what the others do, but that is not so important for us. We wanted to get the points today, as if you do not, then [winning] La Liga is very difficult. Now we must think about resting well and thinking about Wednesday's game."

Given the importance of the City game, Zidane had rotated his squad, with Toni Kroos left at home and Marcelo, Pepe and Dani Carvajal all on the bench, but -- as with last week's 3-2 win at Rayo Vallecano -- they managed to secure the win.

"La Liga was on the line, but we still got the three points," Zidane said. "It was important for some to rest, but we knew we had to play this game. We have many players -- you always have to leave players out.

"Kroos needed to rest totally -- stay at home, watch the game, but also think about other things. Those who are here did very well. We have 21 [players] who can play in any moment, which is important. When we play every three days, it is difficult, but all our players can play, they all do well, and that is the great thing in this team."

Zidane did not go into detail on how Ronaldo and Benzema were recovering but said he remained hopeful that both would return to face City on Wednesday.

"In my head, I hope and we think they will both be back, Cristiano and Karim," he said. "I did not think of Wednesday's game when picking today's team. I just thought we had to make some changes, two or three players, and that was it."

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