Barcelona's Marc Bartra (L) battles for the ball against Real Madrid's Gareth Bale before Bale scored his goal during their King's Cup final soccer match at Mestalla stadium in Valencia April 16, 2014.
Bale goes past Marc Bartra to score the decisive goal in the Copa del Rey final. Reuters

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has praised Gareth Bale and claimed the former Tottenham star will be even better next season.

Bale has had his critics in Spain this season, but he scored a miraculous goal to win the Copa del Rey final and has formed an integral part of Real's 'BBC' attacking trident, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Ancelotti, speaking ahead of Real's Champions League semi-final second leg, said he was "very happy" with Bale's "really, really good season", adding "everyone is sure next season will be better."

Meanwhile Bale has said Los Blancos still have a tough job to do in tonight's Champions League semi-final and claimed the first-leg scores "doesn't make too much difference."

The former Tottenham star played down suggestions Real already possess a decisive advantage, despite their 1-0 victory over Bayern last week.

Many pundits have suggested that Real are strong favourites to progress to the final, as the advantage gained from the first leg in Spain will allow them to play on the counter-attack in Munich - a situation which should suit Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo perfectly.

However Bale has moved to play down these suggestions, saying "I don't feel we have qualified yet."

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