<!-- Article Start --> <h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong>Speaking ahead of Real Madrida s opening fixture against Sporting Gijon, manager Rafa Benitez seemed to indicate that his team would revolve around Gareth Bale with the Welshman given a lot more freedom to attack the opponent. The Spaniard also spoke about Karim Benzema and insisted that Real Madrid werena t looking to add another striker to their squad this summer.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify">Taking over the reins from Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez seems to be following Florentino Pereza s wishes as he a promotesa Gareth Bale to a more central role, giving him the licence to play with increased freedom.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify">Bale to be deployed in a No. 10 position</h3> <p style="text-align: justify">Criticized for his ineffectual performance last season, word from the Gareth Bale camp seemed to indicate that the Welshman wasna t happy playing on the right flank for Real Madrid. Following Rafa Beniteza s appointment as the manager, it seems that the Presidenta s favourite signing will be promoted to a more central role in a bid to give him the creative freedom to attack the opponent. As reported by <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2015/08/22/14654542/benitez-to-give-bale-free-role" target="_blank">Goal.com</a>, Benitez claimed that the Welsh international would be deployed behind the striker in order to pose a greater threat to the opponent.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Bale behind the striker? I like to give freedom within an order. Like that we are more unpredictable."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="hu">Ben tez: "Bale is not a player with a fixed position like Ronaldo, Jes or Benzema." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMLiga?src=hash">#RMLiga</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HalaMadrid?src=hash">#HalaMadrid</a></p> a Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/635039183028011008">August 22, 2015</a></blockquote> <p style="text-align: justify">Gareth Bale hasna t been successful in his new position during the pre-season tour and it remains to be seen if he can repay the faith invested in him by the President and the manager.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify">Real Madrid wona t buy another striker, might use Cristiano Ronaldo in that position</h3> <p style="text-align: justify">With Karim Benzema sidelined due to a thigh injury, Real Madrid have been reported to be on the look-out for a new striker after refusing to extend Chicharitoa s stay at Santiago Bernabeu. However, as <a href="http://as.com/diarioas/2015/08/22/english/1440249136_377282.html" target="_blank">reported by AS</a>, Rafa Benitez denied such reports and insisted that he is counting upon Cristiano Ronaldo, Jese Rodriguez and Mayoral to play as a striker this season.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">a Ia ve said many times that Benzema is a great striker. Thata s why Ia ve set him a target of 25 goals, to motivate him. We also have Cristiano, and Jes and Mayoral as back-up. Wea re not looking for a striker right now.a </p> [caption id="attachment_194551" align="aligncenter" width="548"]<a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/04858430.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-194551" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/04858430-1024x662.jpg" alt=""Cristiano will play as a striker if necessary. If not, hea ll play out wide and cut in to score goals."" width="548" height="354" /></a> "Cristiano will play as a striker if necessary. If not, hea ll play out wide and cut in to score goals."[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify">Speaking about Cristiano Ronaldoa s role in the team and whether he would be used in a No 9 position, Benitez insisted that the Portuguese superstar would continue to enjoy the freedom to a move arounda and express himself on the pitch.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">a The players are free to move around, to express their creativity and their talent. Cristiano will play as a striker if necessary. If not, hea ll play out wide and cut in to score goals. Thata s what I like seeing most and what he likes doing most.a </p> . <p style="text-align: justify">Real Madrid remain without the services of Karim Benzema and Coentrao as they visit Sporting Gijon in the opening fixture of the season.</p> <p class="entry-title"><em><strong>Also Read: <a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/2015/sergio-ramos-5-most-memorable-and-shocking-moments-at-real-madrid/" rel="bookmark">Sergio Ramos: 5 Most Memorable (And Shocking!) Moments At Real Madrid</a></strong></em></p> <!-- Article End -->