BALE AND CR7 SHARE FREE-KICK DUTY

Brothers-in-arms

With Gareth Bale's arrival at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a tough competitor for the prize of taking high pressure free-kicks.

For the moment, and even though it could prejudice Cristiano's position within the Madrid hierarchy after four seasons hogging all the direct free kicks for himself, the two superstars have been sharing between them like true brothers-in-arms.

Those best suited to left-footers are Bale's to try his luck with, while those in right-footed territory go to Cristiano. Although sometimes they mix things up a bit and change plans on the goalkeeper. The opposition's problems are now double.

So far this season, the two have already shown the launch-power of their free-kicks with both having scored.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark in Elche, and Bale scored at the Bernabéu against Sevilla, albeit helped by the wall, which deflected his shot into the back of the net.