Bale 'roasted' Maicon in famous Inter clash and Redknapp joked he needed drugs test

The 33-year-old retired from professional football on Monday after an illustrious career which saw him land five Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

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But it was his displays against Inter that introduced Bale to the wider European audience and in particular, Brazilian defender Maicon.

Such was the ferocity of Bale's performances against the then reigning European champions, Redknapp joked that he hoped Bale would be drug tested.

Spurs travelled to Italy in October 2010 for a Champions League group stage clash with Rafael Benitez's side.

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But the game took an unexpected turn early on when goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was sent off in the opening ten minutes.

By the 35th minute, Spurs were 4-0 down to the Serie A giants and staring a heavy defeat in the face.

With the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Wesley Sneijder and a young Philippe Coutinho all preparing to heap further misery on Tottenham, Redknapp shared an anecdote about a half-time conversation with Tim Sherwood on how to approach the second half.

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"The keeper got sent off early in the game and we were 4-0 down and I remember Tim Sherwood saying to me at half time: "Harry, I think we should take Gareth off, we've got Saturday, what do you think? Maybe rest him, we ain't gonna win the game," Redknapp told talkSPORT.

"I said 'no we won't win it but we might get beat 9-0' and I didn't wanna do that. I left him on and in the second half, what he did to Maicon was just unreal.

While Tottenham were unable to claw back the deficit, Bale's heroic hat-trick in the 4-3 defeat, represents one of the Champions League's all-time dominant performances.

For Maicon, his meeting with Bale was an uncomfortable watch for fans tuning in, as the Welshman repeatedly got the better of him.

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Sadly for the Brazilian, the torment had only just begun and just two-weeks later, he faced Bale all over again at White Hart Lane, to the joy of the Spurs faithful.

"We came back and played them at home in the return game in the Champions League and they left Maicon one against one," Redknapp recalled.

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"They left him isolated. I thought they'd double up on him [Bale] and play another right back in front of him [Maicon] to help him out.

"But they played very narrow and left him to be roasted and he destroyed him, almost finished his career. The crowd were singing 'Taxi for Maicon'."

Redknapp was astonished by the destruction left in Bale's wake as he once again tore into the Brazilian.

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Bale played a key role in Spurs' 3-1 win at the Lane and jokingly encouraged authorities to drug test his prized star, such was the level of his performance.

"You have to put it into perspective," Redknapp said. "Look at who we were playing, Inter Milan, the European champions, and look at who Gareth was up against. Many people rate Maicon as the best right-back in the world but he has given him the most torrid time you would ever wish to see.

"They're just doing some drug-testing now, the dope testers are here and I hope they are testing Gareth. The boy has got everything. It's not just his pace; he can run all day, he's got the ability to cross, his left foot is great on the run, he can shoot, dribble, head the ball - and he's also a great lad."