Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was happy Gareth Bale could "feel like a player again" after the Wales international returned from injury with a goal in Saturday's 2-0 La Liga win at home to Espanyol.
Zidane made seven changes to his team from their midweek Champions League win over Napoli, and backup striker Alvaro Morata headed his team in front on 33 minutes.
Bale returned to action after almost three months out with an ankle injury -- and took just 12 minutes to find the net when he raced clear and finished confidently to secure three points that secured Madrid's lead at the top of the table ahead of challengers Barcelona and Sevilla.
The Madrid coach told his postgame news conference that Bale brought something "special" to the team that had been missing, though others had covered well during his absence.
"I am happy for his return, but above all for him," Zidane said. "He wanted to be back with us, on the pitch again, to feel like a player. Gareth is Gareth. We have just one Gareth. He is a special player, of course, different to the others. But each one brings his grain of sand to the team. That is important."
With key first teamers including Luka Modric, Keylor Navas and Sergio Ramos rested during a busy schedule on two fronts, Zidane said he was especially happy with the performance of those players who had come in as his team had set a new club record of scoring in 42 consecutive games.
"I am happy as this means that they are all committed to what we are doing," he said. "It is more difficult with players who play less, but you did not notice that.
"We have 24 very good players who are happy to be able to help the team when their moment comes. It is important that they feel that way. We will have many games and will need them all. We have two away games coming up, on Wednesday [at Valencia] and at the weekend [at Villarreal] which are very important and will be difficult. So we need them all."
Cristiano Ronaldo had a frustrating afternoon, thinking he had opened the scoring only to be ruled offside, heading his best chance over the bar, and claiming a penalty late on.
Zidane said it was only natural for Ronaldo to want to score in every game, but there was no need to be concerned as he continued to make a big effort for the team.
"We know he is like this," Zidane said. "He always scores, so when he doesn't we might see that. He does not look anxious to me, he is fine, happy. This game was same as against Napoli, he ran a lot for his teammates.
"I am not concerned, he will make difference in key moments for us."