Since Bale is a former full-back, I think he needs to step up his game and start doing the little things on defense Di Maria used to do. He's got the speed and the motor to do so. i'll tell you right now not a chance in hell James does that, as much as I like him he's lazy as hell when it comes to tracking back.
Was thinking that if Real keeps looking like trash like this Bale might have to play in the same position Di Maria did last season. James, Kroos, Modric, and Xabi are great passers and are great at keeping possession, but none of them have been showing the ability to take on a man and drive the ball forward the way Di Maria could out of the midfield.
Idk I know it's really early, the new players need time to gel, I'm probably overreacting, and in the end of the day there's a great manager that will figure it out in charge, but Real has looked like trash in the last 2 matches, and like they're missing their engine in the midfield in Di Maria.