Tuesday 31 March 2015 14:48, UK
Carlo Ancelotti should explore the possibility of playing Gareth Bale in a similar position to Mesut Ozil under former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, says Terry Gibson.
Bale put in a superb performance for Wales in the 3-0 win at Israel on Saturday, and according to Gibson the forward looked “liberated” after going through frustrating form for Real.
And Bale can benefit from the position Mourinho utilised Ozil in, a central role of the attacking three in a 4-2-3-1 formation during the Portuguese boss’ time at the Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013.
Ozil, who moved to Arsenal for £42.5million in the summer of 2013, scored 10 goals and made 24 assists in his final season at Real Madrid.
Gibson told La Liga Weekly Podcast: “It was interesting that the reports in Spain since Bale played so well for Israel say that they think Ancelotti should change the system to get Bale into his best position behind the front two of Ronaldo and Benzema.
“Has it been a fault of Ancelotti not to play them in their best positions? He has persevered with Bale on the right, Ronaldo sort of on the left and Benzema up front.
"What they are saying [is] they could [go] back to the 4-2-3-1 with Bale in the position that Mesut Ozil played under Mourinho and I think they have a point to be honest.
“It’s something we haven’t looked at, we have taken it as set in stone that Real Madrid are playing 4-3-3 with the two wide players, so perhaps Ancelotti will have to look at using the same players but in different positions to get the best out of them all.”
Bale scored a free-kick and grabbed the third in Wales’ impressive European Qualifiers win, coming under a week after his car was attacking by fans outside the Real Madrid training ground following the 2-1 defeat by Barcelona.
But Gibson admits Real would spend the world-record £85million fee for Bale all over again if the Welshman was judged on his performance in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
“Bale was terrific, he looked liberated, he was leading the team, no complaints about his defensive duties.
“If he wasn’t already at Real Madrid they would be looking at that and making a case to pay all that money to get him, so they have to get the best out of Gareth Bale.”
