Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has hailed the improvement in Gareth Bale's attitude as the European champions have bounced back from a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid with three consecutive wins.
Bale was heavily criticised after the defeat at the Vicente Calderon earlier this month for his lack of effort when Real didn't have the ball, but Ancelotti said he has responded in the right fashion.
"In the last few games, Bale has shown a good attitude. He has fought, won and sacrificed like everyone else," the Italian said on Saturday.
"He needs to continue like this. We need a Bale that always has a positive attitude."
Bale will be fit to take his place in the side as Los Blancos host Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday despite missing training earlier in the week after being on the end of a horrible challenge from Aaron Niguez in last weekend's 2-0 win at Elche.
Niguez took to Twitter after the game to apologise to the Welshman and Ancelotti said the former Tottenham Hotspur man was lucky to escape without a more serious injury.
"He was lucky with the challenge the other day. It is something that can happen during a game, it was a strong and hard challenge.
"We don't need to blame the player just because he didn't make a good tackle, but, luckily, it was just a knock."
Madrid are still dogged by injuries in midfield as Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Sami Khedira remain on the sidelines.
Ancelotti is hopeful of having Modric and Colombian World Cup star Rodriguez fit for their El Clasico clash against Barcelona on March 22.
However, he insisted they may have to fight it out for one place in midfield given Spanish international Isco's superb form in recent weeks.
"He has surprised people as a central midfielder with his good defensive attitude and positioning. We need to use his characteristics in attack more than in defence.
"He has shown a positive attitude and that is key to improving. If he keeps playing like this it is unnegotiable that he will play."
Source: AFP