Tuesday, 17 March 2015 00:19
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Reuters: Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale answered his critics in emphatic style when he ended a nine-game goal drought with a double for the European champions in a 2-0 La Liga victory against Levante at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
The world record signing, whistled by his own team’s fans during Real’s recent poor run, struck twice in the first half and came close to completing his hat-trick midway through the second period to leave Real a point behind leaders Barcelona.
They failed to add to their tally against the struggling Valencia-based side, however, and question marks remain over their form following a 4-3 reverse at home to Schalke 04 in their Champions League last 16, second leg in midweek.
Real, who still reached the quarter-finals on aggregate, head to Barca for next weekend’s ‘Clasico’ at the Nou Camp in second place behind their arch rivals, who won 2-0 at Eibar on Saturday and lead on 65 points with 11 games left.
Valencia climbed to third on 57 points thanks to Friday’s 2-0 win at home to Deportivo La Coruna, above champions Atletico Madrid, who were held 0-0 at Espanyol on Saturday and have 56.
