Real Madrid beats Celta Vigo 2-0 on Zidane's return
Zinedine Zidane's second spell as Real Madrid coach got off to a promising start with a 2-0 win at home to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday thanks to goals from Isco and Gareth Bale, who had fallen out of favour with previous coach Santiago Solari. Real are third in the league standings with 54 points after 28 games, two behind second-placed Atletico Madrid who visit Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday and nine points behind leaders Barcelona who play at Real Betis on Sunday.
- Sports
- AP
- Published Date: 12:00 | 16 March 2019
- Modified Date: 08:32 | 16 March 2019
Zinedine Zidane brought the old guard back as his second stint as Real Madrid coach began with a 2-0 win against relegation-threatened Celta Vigo in the Spanish league on Saturday.
Francisco "Isco" Alarcon, who had been sidelined by former coach Santiago Solari, and Gareth Bale, a reserve before Zidane's return, scored to help Madrid end its four-game losing streak at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Marco Asensio, another player who had few chances under Solari, set up Isco's goal while goalkeeper Keylor Navas, back in the starting lineup, made key saves for Madrid.
Zidane's revamped lineup also included Marcelo, another player who had succeeded under the French coach but did not play often with Solari.
The win moved Madrid within two points of second-place Atletico Madrid, which visits Athletic Bilbao later. Barcelona, which plays at Real Betis on Sunday, is seven points in front of Atletico.
Zidane received an ovation from the crowd when his name was announced before the match, and there was an upbeat atmosphere again following demoralizing home losses.
Madrid lost to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and the Spanish league, and to Ajax in the round of 16 in the Champions League. It had also lost at home to Girona in the league.