Villarreal clash to be Bale's debut

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Gareth Bale will make his official Real Madrid debut in this weekend's Liga match away against Villarreal.

The Welshman joined the Santiago Bernabeu side from Tottenham for a world-record €100 million transfer fee and is all set for his first Madrid appearance since returning from international duty earlier this week.

The former Paris Saint-Germain coach says Bale will play some part of the game but did not disclose whether or not the 24-year-old would start.

"Bale will travel to Villarreal and will play, although I don't know if he'll start or come off the bench," Ancelotti said at a press conference.

"Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo are two excellent players and I have no doubt that they will improve the team together.

"What I like the most about Bale? His motivation and his desire to make an impact here at Madrid. He is very happy and humble."

Ancelotti then went on to discuss the situation of Iker Casillas and revealed that the goalkeeper will feature from the start in their Champions League Group B opener against Galatasaray in midweek.

"On Tuesday, Iker will play from the start, so everybody is calm," he added.

"It might be an option that Diego Lopez plays in La Liga and Casillas in the Copa del Rey."


/Marca/