Rusty Bale draws blank for first time in 78 starts in Spurs win

Gareth Bale failed to take a shot or create a chance for a team-mate after starting a club match for the first time since November 2016 as Tottenham beat LASK 3-0.

The Wales forward had made his second Spurs debut from the bench during the 3-3 Premier League draw with West Ham last weekend, but was included from the off as the London club began their Europa League campaign on Thursday.

Bale forced Andres Andrade to put through his own net to make it 2-0 with less than half an hour gone.

However, the on-loan Real Madrid man’s influence somewhat waned from there before he was taken off by Jose Mourinho around the hour mark.

0 – Tonight against LASK was the first time Gareth Bale has started a club match and not had either a shot or created a chance for his teammates since November 2016 for Real Madrid vs Sporting CP – tonight was his 78th start since then. Subdued. #UEL pic.twitter.com/0dIP2zxgwV

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 22, 2020

This was Bale’s 78th start since he last failed to register a shot or make an opportunity at club level. the last time that happened was for Madrid against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

The 31-year-orld was joined in the starting XI by Lucas Moura, who scored his side’s opener after being teed up by recent signing Carlos Vinicius.

And, after helping Spurs get off to a winning start in Europe, the Brazilian underlined his desire to add to the club’s trophy cabinet this season. 

“It is the best way to start the competition. Of course we need to improve some things but 3-0 at home is a good result,” he told BT Sport.

“We missed a lot of opportunities and gave some space for them but I think we are solid.

“It is always good to score, especially for strikers. It is my job. If I help my team-mates I am happy, if I can score it is even better.

“I know Jose Mourinho is a winner and wants to win a trophy here. I think the squad deserves a trophy. I am very positive for the season but let’s do it step by step. We will fight for it because I think the fans and the club deserve it.”