Thursday, May 14, 2015

I must improve on rusty finishing, admits Bale




The under-fire Wales star had a number of chances against Juventus but failed to beat Gianluigi Buffon as the Champions League holders crashed out

Gareth Bale has admitted that his finishing has let him down this season in the wake of Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Juventus.

The reigning European champions needed a win at the Santiago Bernabeu to turn things around after their 2-1 first-leg loss in Turin last week, but they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw as Juventus progressed.

Bale had a number of chances to find the net - both before and after Alvaro Morata cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's opener - but he failed to add his name to the score sheet and incurred the wrath of sections of the home support once again.

And the world's most expensive player accepts he must work on improving his finishing heading into next season.

"I haven't scored as many important chances as I would like this season," Bale told Sky Sports.

"I feel my general play has been good, but my finishing has been a bit rusty this year and it's something to work on for next year.

"I was unlucky not to score one versus Juventus. As long as I keep trying usually one goes in, but unfortunately one didn't now.

"I think the back-post header was the most frustrating miss. I think I slightly got a touch, I couldn't quite get over the ball which was disappointing but it’s one of those things that happen in football and you move on."

The 25-year-old went on to stress that he is happy with his performances this season, irrespective of all the criticism, and he is confident he will only be better in 2015-16.

"There have been some ups and downs this season, but I feel I've played well in general," he added.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'll learn from this season a lot, take it into next season and have a good season."

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