Full house to hail Bale's home debut

Posted Saturday, September 21, 2013 by Marca.com

Bale is almost certain to start. Ancelotti talked to the Welshman just before training on Thursday to ask him how he felt physically and mentally following his first few games for Real Madrid.

There will be a party atmosphere at the Bernabéu this Sunday. The club is expecting the first full house of the season, with the fans in high spirits following the thrashing of Galatasaray and eager to welcome Gareth Bale on his home debut.

Bale is almost certain to start. Ancelotti talked to the Welshman just before training on Thursday to ask him how he felt physically and mentally following his first few games for Real Madrid. Bale's response was a bullish one, and in a short space of time the pair has already forged a good relationship.

Bale has even taken the fitness coaches by surprise. They expected him to take several weeks to get up to speed, having been sidelined for most of the summer, but this bedding-in period hasn't been necessary.

Far from doing any sort of special regimen, Bale is training with the rest of the group and has not had to play catch-up. Though he himself claimed he wasn't fully match fit after the game in Villarreal, where he played 60 minutes, this was above all because of the high standards he sets himself. He knows that the first yard in football is in your head and needs to feel in tip-top condition to impose himself.

Like other players, Bale has been working out in the gym in order to strengthen his muscles. On the training pitch, meanwhile, he continues to demonstrate his supreme explosiveness. Reports from the training ground say that he is unstoppable once in full flow and extremely skilful, to boot. He is also settling in quickly and is looking happy as can be.

Bale has been relishing his home debut ever since his unveiling, immediately asking who would be the next visitors to the Bernabéu. He will undoubtedly be the main attraction against Getafe.