Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said Gareth Bale was "phenomenal" after Saturday's comeback 3-2 La Liga win at Rayo Vallecano, while playing down injury fears around Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semifinal first leg at Manchester City.
Rayo shocked their crosstown neighbours by going 2-0 ahead inside 14 minutes through Adrian Embarba and Miku during Saturday's game.
However, Bale halved the deficit with a header before half-time and then, after substitute Lucas Vazquez had made it 2-2, the Welshman surged clear of the Rayo defence to fire in the winner.
Bale now has 18 goals in 21 La Liga games this season, including the four he scored in December's 10-2 victory at home to Rayo.
Zidane told his postmatch news conference that he was pleased that Bale -- criticised in the local media midweek for allegedly playing golf when he was not 100 percent fit -- came through when his team needed him.
"I'm very happy for him," Zidane said. "He is very happy to make the difference. We needed him today and he was phenomenal. He played really well besides the goals. Gareth needed a bit of time. Physically he is well, he played 90 minutes. Gareth did fantastic work. Physically he grew stronger in the game."
Bale was needed with Ronaldo missing through injury and Benzema limping off before half-time with an apparent right hamstring issue.
"It's not a blow," Zidane said. "We have to assess him. We will examine him and see what he has. I hope it's nothing and he can play on Tuesday but right now I can't tell you."
He is also confident Ronaldo will be available for the meeting with City at the Etihad Stadium.
"Cristiano is well," Zidane said. "He will travel of course."
A ninth successive La Liga win sent Madrid to the top of the Primera Division table ahead of their title rivals' games on Saturday, with Atletico Madrid facing Malaga and Barcelona hosting Sporting Gijon.
Zidane had also rested other stars including Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric from the starting XI, and he said his team's fighting mentality would hold them in good stead going into their Champions League semifinal challenge.
"We fought hard," he said. "It's a difficult game. In the first 15 minutes we had difficulties but the game lasts 90 minutes. We started badly but we finished strongly. It's a boost for the Champions League.
"To go two down is not easy but we showed that even after conceding we can come back. Above all the players had the patience when things were not going well -- and then we know we have players of quality that can make the difference."