Gareth Bale set up two goals for Cristiano Ronaldo against Espanyol
Real Madrid: Gareth Bale feeling 'more involved' in third season
Champions League Group A
- Venue: Bernabeu
- Date: Tuesday, 15 September
- Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: Updates and report on the Golsicilia.it Sport website
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Welsh forward Gareth Bale says he feels "more involved" at Real Madrid as the 10-time European Cup winners take on Shakhtar Donetsk in their opening Champions League group game on Tuesday.
Bale was criticised in a trophyless second season at the club after making a record £85m move to Real in 2013.
But he is more content now he is playing centrally, having scored twice and added three assists this season.
"I feel like I am more involved this year now," Bale, 26, said.
"The first year you are running off adrenalin from having just signed – you are so happy to be at the club and that drives you on.
"But in the second year I felt a little bit left out wide and not getting so much of the ball but now I feel involved in the play and I think that is showing in the games – that I am able to assist goals and score goals."
‘B-B-C’ back to their best again
Gareth Bale in training with Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their Champions League tie
Bale set up two goals and earned a penalty for Cristiano Ronaldo in Real's 6-0 win at Espanyol on Saturday, and he says the combination of himself, Real's record goalscorer Ronaldo and striker Karim Benzema is clicking again.
"We are working hard on the training ground and on the pitch and it's coming together. We just want to score as many goals as we can," Bale said.
Real, who will play Shakhtar for the first time, are aiming for a record 11th European Cup, having been eliminated in the semi-finals by Juventus last season.