Defenders and goalkeepers across Spain and Europe will be quaking in their boots after Carlo Ancelotti confirmed their worst fears – Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo will share free-kick duty for Real Madrid.
Bale scored his first goal for Los Blancos in the 5-0 rout over Real Betis at the weekend, his goal coming from a direct free-kick which he buried in the corner of the net without the goalkeeper moving from his spot. It was third direct free-kick the Welshman has scored for Madrid this season.
And with Ronaldo deadly from a deadball situation too, Madrid hold two of the best free-kick specialists in the world among their ranks – something Ancelotti is well aware of.
Speaking to journalists ahead of his side’s match with Espanyol in the Copa del Rey quarter-final, the Italian boss confirmed the two most expensive men in football (unless you believe reports Barcelona paid 100 million for Neymar) would share free-kick duty.
When asked about Bale’s record, Ancelotti stated: “Clearly he has better chances from the free-kicks on the left, then we have Cristiano Ronaldo for the ones from the right. That’s what we’ve decided. Cristiano Ronaldo is stronger from the right and Bale from the left.”
