Gareth Bale pleaded with Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez to play him through the middle after sinking old club Tottenham in preseason action last night.

Bale scored while playing just off striker Jese Rodriguez as part of a 4-4-2 which helped Real defeat Spurs 2-0 in the Audi Cup at the Allianz Arena.

The Welshman was largely used on the right hand side of a front three by former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, but he believes he has more to offer in a central role.

“It’s my best position,” Bale said. “When I played for Tottenham, I felt I played my best football there and when I play for Wales, I play there and play my best football.

“For me, that’s my position and it’s where I want to play. 

“I’m able to go out to the left and the right, and it’s what I was doing at Tottenham and what I do for Wales. It’s great to have the support of the manager and the president [Florentino Perez] and, hopefully, I can repay them with some goals and trophies.”

Bale, who left Spurs in a world-record deal two years ago, struck Real’s second after James Rodriguez headed them in front.

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Jese next smashed a volley off Michel Vorm’s post before the Colombian found space between Danny Rose and Eric Dier to convert Isco’s cross.

Wales forward Bale then darted towards the Spurs box and his 25- yard dipping strike beat Vorm.

Real will now face hosts Bayern Munich in today’s final after the Germans battered AC Milan 3-0.

Juan Bernat opened the scoring midway through the first-half before two eye-catching secondhalf strikes from Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski.

Spurs, meanwhile, will play Milan for third/fourth place at the Allianz Arena.