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As Cristiano Ronaldo continues to adapt his game, Gareth Bale has the chance to become Real Madrid’s most important attacking player, writes Adam Bate. According to Guillem Balague, it was only when it became apparent that Cristiano Ronaldo was likely to be staying at Real Madrid this summer that Robert Lewandowski cooled on the idea of signing for the Spanish club. It was the enormous potential of a Bale-Lewandowski partnership that appealed to the Pole. Competing with Ronaldo was a different matter.Its a nugget of information that puts Bales decision to join Real in the summer of 2013 into context. The Welshman had made his name at Tottenham by showcasing a similar skill-set to Ronaldo with his dribbles down the flank, long-range shots and distinct style of taking free-kicks. Indeed, Bale has visibly modelled his approach on the celebrated forward. So its perhaps understandable that there have been times in his three-year stay in Madrid that finding the right role within the team has not seemed straightforward. While predecessor Mesut Ozils reputation for selflessness complemented Ronaldo perfectly, Bales similarity was seen as something that counted against him. See Bales latest trick as he juggles a golf ball between a club and his feet The statistics bore that out in that first season. While the campaign was a triumphant one, culminating in a Champions League victory in which both men scored, Ronaldos presence did inhibit Bales effectiveness. In fact, he netted more goals in the seven games he started without Ronaldo than the 17 in which they were named in the starting line-up together.Even now his scoring record when Ronaldos not around is a goal a game. In his first two seasons in Madrid, he scored 19 in 44 starts when the Portuguese played too. However, those numbers began to change last season. Bale scored 15 goals in 19 La Liga games alongside Ronaldo and suggestions of issues between the pair began to dissipate. Bale stepping out of the shadow? With Ronaldo Without Ronaldo Apps Goals Apps Goals 2013/14 17 7 7 8 2014/15 27 12 3 1 2015/16 19 15 2 3 TOTAL 63 34 12 12 There were several factors in that. Rafael Benitez had prioritised Bales positioning, giving him opportunities more centrally, and Zinedine Zidane continued to encourage this freedom of movement. But the biggest change was simply the ticking of time. The 31-year-old Ronaldo is a very different animal to the one that once tore at opposition defences.In their first season together, Bale and Ronaldo averaged 2.5 and 2.4 successful dribbles per 90 minutes respectively. But Ronaldos dribbling numbers have been falling year on year to such a degree that last season he recorded the lowest figures of his career to date. His dribbling days are all but over. Its as an accumulator of goals that he excels now. Dribbling differences Dribbles per 90 Gareth Bale Cristiano Ronaldo Difference 2013/14 2.5 2.4 +0.1 2014/15 2.3 1.6 +0.7 2015/16 2.2 1.4 +0.8 He is now just a goalscorer, La Liga expert Terry Gibson told Sky Sports. He is now almost a full centre-forward. It was in this role that Ronaldo helped Portugal to glory at the European Championship this summer, scoring three times - including the opener against Bales Wales in the semi-final - but seldom being involved in the build-up play.Ronaldos game has changed and the onus is on him to adapt. But for Bale, its an opportunity for him to seize the initiative and become the driving force of this Real Madrid team. The players who were once deemed too similar can now complement each other - the dribbler and the finisher. Those at the club are far from oblivious to the changes. Bale was told next season he would be the focal point of Real Madrid. When he has been given the opportunity, he has embraced it fully and enjoyed himself. Ronaldo has been limiting his influence on the game. Guillem Balague Bale was told next season he would be the focal point of Real Madrid, said Balague recently. When he has been given the opportunity, he has embraced it fully and enjoyed himself. Ronaldo has been limiting his influence on the game. He is picked to play in and around the box so there is more work to do for the others and more work to do for Bale.Bales efforts in France impressed in Spain. In his AS column, Lothar Matthaus rated him alongside Antoine Griezmann as one of the two faces of Euro 2016 while Marca talked of his reputation and importance to Real Madrid continuing to grow. A contract that expires in 2019 is expected to be extended to the summer of 2021 or beyond. In the more immediate future, theres a big season ahead. Bale reports for duty at the end of July having had some time to relax, proposing to his long-time partner and embarking on a golf tour of Scotland. His competitive return will come in the European Super Cup against Sevilla in Trondheim in the first week of August. Ronaldo will not be fit.The plan for Zidane and Real is that the 2016/17 journey ends with what theyre already calling Duodecima - the clubs 12th European Cup success. And where is the final to be played? Bales home city of Cardiff. He might have lost his personal battle with Ronaldo at Euro 2016, but Bale could yet be the big winner as the power shifts at Real Madrid. Win Sky Q Ultra HD with Sky Sports 43 LG TV plus a Sky Q Ultra HD package including Sky Sports to be won EVERY DAY - enter now! Also See: WATCH: Bales golf skills Ronaldo wants new deal Custom San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . Carcillo was a little of both for New York in Game 3. Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Dan Girardi and Carcillo scored goals, leading the Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. Deion Sanders Jersey . 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Reigns - who will be aiming to claim sports entertainments richest prize for the third time when he battles Triple H in Texas this weekend - was jumped backstage by the champion and The Dudley Boyz when WWEs flagship show hit Brooklyn, New York.However, as Triple H bragged about how he would defeat Reigns, The Big Dog attacked his opponent to begin an almighty fight, which culminated in Reigns leaping out of the ring and onto The Game as a horde of Superstars tried to intervene.CLICK HERE TO ORDER WRESTLEMANIA 32 WRESTLEMANIA 32 Live on Sky Sports Box OfficeMidnight, Sunday Elsewhere, Shane McMahon elbow-dropped The Undertaker through the announce desk to gain the upper-hand prior to their high-stakes Mania match, with McMahon to assume control of Raw if he wins and The Undertaker banned from competing at another WrestleMania if he loses.Chris Jericho and AJ Styles will also go one-on-one at WrestleMania after the former accepted the latters challenge - but only after Styles distraction caused the Ayatollah of Rock n Rolla to lose his singles encounter with Zack Ryder.Ryder will compete in a seven-man match for Kevin Owens Intercontinental Championship at Mania, with the remaining six competitors engaging in a tag-team tussle on Raw as Ryder battled Jericho. Dolph Ziggler scraps with The Miz during a tag match Owens, The Miz and Stardust took on Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler and Sin Cara, with Zayns squad emerging victorious when he cracked Owens with a Helluva Kick after the Intercontinental Champion was abandoned by his partners.Elsewhere, Riic Flairs distraction allowed Charlotte to beat Becky Lynch with Natural Selection; Kalisto bested Konnor with Salida del Sol; and Kofi Kingston countered Alberto Del Rios Cross Armbreaker to pin the Mexican with a roll-up.dddddddddddd Plus, Big Show and Kane choke-slammed each member of the Social Outcasts - Heath Slater, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas and Adam Rose - before they and a host of other grapplers compete in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania.Finally, Dean Ambrose displayed the array of weapons he plans to use against Brock Lesnar during the pairs No Holds Barred Match on Sunday night - which included Terry Funks chainsaw and Mick Foleys baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire.CLICK HERE TO ORDER WRESTLEMANIA 32WrestleMania 32 booking detailsWrestleMania 32 will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) and Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 492) at midnight on Sunday, April 3 (Monday morning)WrestleMania 32 will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) but NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 492) between 10am, Monday, April 4 and 10pm, Tuesday, April 5.Repeat showings will last for four hours, with the final showing STARTING at 10pm on Tuesday, April 5.The event is priced at £19.95 for UK customers, €24.95 for viewers in the Republic of Ireland.Viewers can call 03442 410 888 to book WrestleMania 32. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).You can also book WrestleMania 32 online by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/Viewers can also book using their Sky TV remote. (Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus).Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.You will also be able to follow a live blog of WrestleMania 32 on Sky Sports digital platforms. 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