La Liga: Gareth Bale returns as Real Madrid held by Villarreal

Real Madrid were held to a goalless draw at Villarreal on Saturday in spite of the return from a lengthy issue absence of Gareth Bale. The La Liga leaders’ slip-up will give hope to title rivals Sevilla after their 2-0 victory over Elche on Friday. Carlo Ancelotti’s Real moved 4 points clear of second-put Sevilla at the top as they look to regain the crown they lost to Atletico Madrid last season. . Real top La Liga on 54 with Sevilla on 50 and Real Betis are third way back on 40 points.

Real struggled in their first half prior to creating chances after the break yet couldn’t find the net.

They have scored just once in their last three games.

“With a little more accuracy and luck, we could have scored. We had three close calls with the goalkeeper, hit the crossbar twice,” said Ancelotti.

“I’m worried about the team when we don’t look for a chance to score, we looked for it. We lacked effectiveness.”

Bale was surprisingly named in the starting line-up for his first appearance for Real Madrid since August.

He has suffered from various injuries in the months since, in spite of the fact that he has played four times for Wales.

Real dominated possession in the second half, with Rulli also saving from Toni Kroos.

“In the first half, the team was a little unwilling, a little uncommitted. It changed in the second half. We had more opportunities to played more directly,” said Ancelotti.

“In the first half, the team defended too deep and we were not aggressive in individual battles. In the second half, it was completely different. We saw a much more aggressive team without the ball. This was the key.”