Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has backed Gareth Bale to be a success in La Liga, but says the Real Madrid forward needs time to adapt.
The Welshman has suffered a difficult start to life in Madrid starting just two matches in La Liga as he has been hampered by injuries and a lack of pre-season.
For the second match that Bale started, El Clasico, Karim Benzema replaced him in the 61st minute, as the 24-year-old struggled to make a difference in Real Madrid’s attack.
Fabregas said he sympathised with Bale because it is typical for a foreign player to take time to adjust to his new club. And he added he also has faith that Bale will begin to shine in the league, although he suggests that Bale quickly integrates himself at Real Madrid.
“You need to adapt when you come to this league,” he said, “It’s completely different to the Premier League; there’s not that much space and when you get the ball, you have more opponents on you. Tactically, this league is much better than the English one. He needs time.”
He added: “It is up to him if he comes through it. He has got a lot of pressure on him – €100m is a massive (fee). But I think when a great player is a great player then he overcomes it and I’m sure he will.”
