Real Madrid needed two goals from Gareth Bale to inspire them to a win at Rayo Vallecano

Gareth Bale inspired Real Madrid to come from two goals down to win 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano in a testing workout ahead of the Champions League clash with Manchester City.

Madrid were without Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time in a Primera Division game this season, due to a thigh problem, and their title bid looked in tatters when Adrian Embarba and Miku put Rayo 2-0 up in just 14 minutes.