Gareth Bale claimed the standard of football in Major League Soccer has risen in recent years after he and Giorgio Chiellini made their Los Angeles FC debut in a 2-1 win over Nashville SC.
Bale made his MLS bow as a 72nd-minute substitute in Tennessee, while Italy and Juventus legend Chiellini played the first hour of a victory that put LAFC one point clear at the Western Conference summit.
The Wales winger, who won five Champions League titles during a trophy-laden spell with Real Madrid before his contract expired in June, suggested last week that MLS was not a retirement league .
And Bale repeated that assertion after his maiden appearance, telling LAFC s website: The standard of football, even just watching, has improved massively from when I used to watch it in the past and when I ve played against an all-star team or played other teams in the past.
The football s good, I enjoyed being on there. I definitely think the perception [of the league] is changing, I think a lot of players came over and really struggled and got a big wake-up call by it.
I ve spoken to other players about it, so I know the quality is improving. I haven t come here just to wind down, I want to contribute as much as I can, to try to win games and trophies.
This is going to be fun. |
— LAFC (@LAFC)
Bale caught the eye during his first cameo with the 2019 Supporters Shield winners, and admitted he had grown restless watching from the bench early on.
It felt amazing, I was itching from the first half, as soon as I got on the bench I wanted to get off and help the team, he added. [It s] important as well for me individually that I get my fitness going, obviously it s the end of the season in Europe.
It s good to get some minutes and more importantly, we got the three points, so everybody s happy.
I want to come in and do what I do, but fit into the team s style of play as well. It s going to take a bit of time to get used to everything, but I m quite switched on.
Chiellini, meanwhile, highlighted the difficulties caused by the humid conditions in Nashville, but was pleased to have passed his first test since departing Serie A.
I expected the difficulties we had in the match because it is good team and also for me especially, it s my first match for almost two months, and it s too hot in Nashville! the defender said.
But I was feeling better minute by minute. I m very happy because it was a difficult game, and it is very important for us to win
Il Primo di Molti
— LAFC (@LAFC)
