Real Madrid's Solari getting best out forward in front of goal

Gareth Bale's hat-trick against Kashima Antlers left the Real Madrid forward with an average of a goal every 111 minutes under Santiago Solari.

Santiago Solari has looked to spur Gareth Bale on right from his opening press conference as Real Madrid coach, and the Welshman has responded.

"Gareth has eaten up everything today"

In Los Blancos' Club World Cup semi-final win over Kashima Antlers yesterday, he delivered a whirlwind attacking display, grabbing a hat-trick that leaves him just one goal shy of the seven scored by the tournament's all-time leading marksman, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Solari had told the ex-Southampton and Tottenham man to go out and "eat up the pitch" last month, and could not hide his delight post-match in Abu Dhabi, having watching the forward do just that. "Gareth has eaten up everything today," he purred.

Bale registering best ever goal average under Solari

Solari is getting the best out of Bale in front of goal: since the Argentine took over at the Bernabéu, the 29-year-old has now plundered six in 668 minutes, a scoring average - one every 111 minutes - that the player has not matched under any previous club coach.

In cronological order, none of Julen Lopetegui (one every 232 minutes), Zinedine Zidane (139), Rafa Benítez (127), Carlo Ancelotti (188), André Villas-Boas (149), Harry Redknapp (410), Juande Ramos (no goals), Martin Jol (189) and George Burley (776) got the same strike rate average from the 'Cardiff Express'.

Bale: a player who comes alive when trophies at stake

Bale would not be drawn into responding to his critics as he picked up his 'man of the match' award at Zayed Sports City Stadium, an accolade that once more underlined that the big occasions - particularly when silverware is up for grabs - bring out the best in him.

On Saturday, Al Ain will be up against an attacker who has got the scent of blood.