Ancelotti's big challenge: to get the best out of Bale

After a year on loan at Tottenham with ups and downs and a fairly discreet Euros, Gareth Bale only has in his mind the return to Real Madrid that awaits him for the pre-season.

The Welshman turns 32 on 16th July and he does so with many doubts about his future, as the club seems to want to get rid of him in order to get rid of his high wage bill. However, Bale does not have much choice in the market and everything indicates that, except for a miracle, he will spend the last year of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Therefore, Carlo Ancelotti will have among his obligations in his return to 'Los Blancos' bench to try to bring out the best version of the 'Cardiff Express' that already shone during the Italian's first spell. The '11' played a fundamental role in his first season as Real Madrid player, in 2013-14, in which he was a key part of the team and scored decisive goals to complete the Copa del Rey-Champions League double.

That season the Welshman scored 22 goals and made 16 assists. His best records as a player in both categories, although they dropped a little (17 and 12) in the second and final year of a 'Carletto' who will try to get the best out of Bale so that Madrid can once again fight for titles.