Bale goes missing in 'El Clásico'
Real Madrid were crushed at the Camp Nou, overwhelmed by a Barcelona side that overwhelmed them 5-1. Gareth Bale, called upon to take the baton from Cristiano Ronaldo, did not perform in the 'Clásico' either.
One shot and a yellow card was all the Welshman could muster in 77 minutes at the Camp Nou, before being substituted for Marco Asensio with the scoreline at 3-1 to Barca.
When Cristiano Ronaldo packed his bags for Turin, Real Madrid turned to Gareth Bale for inspiration to take over from the Portuguese in leading the forward line.
However, the good start to the season was only a mirage that lasted a mere six games, in which he scored four goals and assisted three more.
Injuries returned to halt the Welshman's progress, and his level declined to go unnoticed as Madrid began a run of poor results.
At the Camp Nou, Bale was again disappointing, failing to score or provide anything going forward.