MADRID (AFP) - Zinedine Zidane brought Real Madrid's outcasts in from the cold and they repaid him with a win over Celta Vigo on Saturday (March 16) but La Liga's title race could well be over after Atletico Madrid were beaten by Athletic Bilbao.
Isco and Gareth Bale each scored in Madrid's 2-0 victory over Celta before Atletico lost 2-0 at San Mames, giving Barcelona the chance to go 10 points clear if they overcome Real Betis on Sunday.
Barca's superiority has been clear for some time but Zidane's new era is up and running. Isco, who had not started a single league game under Santiago Solari, gave Real the lead shortly after the hour and Bale got the goal his own committed display deserved to put sorry Celta out of sight.
Bale was teed up by Marcelo, who was also dropped by Solari but recalled, while Keylor Navas pulled off a superb save in the first half, having been brought back in ahead of Thibaut Courtois.
"Nobody can erase what these players have done," Zidane about those players he recalled. "I will count on everyone."
The victory ends a run of four consecutive home defeats for Madrid and means they are now two points behind Atletico, nine back on Barca.
That deficit will surely prove too big to close but Zidane's job was to restore morale in the 11 league games that are left and to find out what, and who, needs changing in the summer.
Â
"My team-talk was really simple," Zidane said.
"I told them to have fun, to play, to run together and to be united when we don't have the ball. When we have it, let's have fun, and that's what we did."
At times, it felt like a pre-season fixture, not just because of the baking hot sun but the relaxed atmosphere and the sense this is now a team on trial.
Bale, whose relationship with Zidane deteriorated to breaking point last season, was arguably the biggest winner, his performance proving there could yet be a place for him in what the club's president Florentino Perez has dubbed "the glorious new era".
Marcelo impressed too while Courtois might well wonder what his next couple of months hold, given Navas, an old favourite of Zidane, looks to be back in favour.
"There are 10 games left, today Keylor played, on another day it could be Thibaut," Zidane said.
"Real Madrid needs two or three great goalkeepers. We'll see what happens next year."
BALE RATTLES CROSSBAR
There was a cosy feeling at the Santiago Bernabeu, where fans had a new song to the tune of Hey Jude, replaced by Zizou, and cheered their new coach's name when it was announced before kick-off.
Bale came closest to scoring in the first half with an acrobatic scissor-kick that crashed against the crossbar and later teed up Karim Benzema to tap in, only for the referee to book the Welshman for a foul in the build-up.
Celta found chances on the break but never looked liked converting. Maxi Gomez, with only Ramos to beat, curled wide while Sofiane Boufal's finish had to be blocked on the line by Marcelo as Madrid were again caught upfield.
Benzema's goal was ruled out just before half-time and Luka Modric had one chalked off just after, this time VAR intervening to show Raphael Varane offside and close enough to be deemed active.
Isco's influence had diminished and Dani Ceballos was ready to replace him just before he scored the opening goal. Asensio made it, a superb run allowing Benzema to cross and Isco to bundle in.
There was still time for Bale to add a second, his touch making space for the shot after Marcelo had slipped him clear. The ball hit the post and then the net.
After going out of the Champions League to Juventus on Tuesday, Atletico's miserable week continued as they were undone by two late goals in Bilbao.
Jose Gimenez was at fault for the opener, gifting the ball to Inigo Cordoba who found Inaki Williams at the back post. Gimenez was unfortunate for the second too, as Kenan Kodro's shot deflected off his foot on its way in, leaving Barcelona with one hand on the trophy.
Juventus forward Ronaldo came second in the 2018 Ballon d'Or vote behind his old Real team mate Modric, while Messi was fifth, a ranking met with some consternation at both the Argentine's
Modric criticises Ballon d'Or gala snub by Messi, Ronaldo
The third edition of the annual China Cup featuring four teams from two confederations will be held from March 21 to 25 in Nanning, Guangxi. The 32-year-old is expected to miss between 10 and 15 days after limping off late in the recent 4-1 win at Real Betis in La Liga.
Injured Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay | Sport24
la liga Barcelona more solid at the back now since start of season, says Gerard Pique Ernesto Valverde's Barca now have a defence too that can step up when the attack stalls.
Barcelona Looking for a Solid Display at Anfield
May 05, 2019 · Chelsea put a distracted first half behind them to climb into third place in the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Watford at Stamford Bridge Chelsea move into third place with victory over
Chelsea secures top-4 spot after beating Watford 3-0 in EPL
- Mourinho has been out of job since he was fired at Manchester United in December 2018. Ex Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly rejected offers to become the new manager of Italian side Roma.
Players rejected by Jose Mourinho who have gone on to shine
This Changes The Game. The biggest shift you can make in business is going from expecting things of others to this.. Once I made the shift everything changed in my life. Listen in to this week
Adding/Removing Team Admins - GameChanger
Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct by the FA for his part in the confrontation with members of Burnley's backroom staff during Monday's 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Sarri was sent
Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct by
April 13 (Reuters)- Chris Wood scored twice as Burnley took a major step towards Premier League safety with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday which left the Welsh club deep
Wood double gives Burnley win over Cardiff in relegation scrap
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku rediscovered his finishing touch in fine fashion, scoring a superb goal in each half to help them to a 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Lukaku Double Inspires Manchester United to 3-1 Win at Palace
Fa
Hard to believe, but Pop was once unwanted by Spurs fans
LONDON (AFP) - Alexis Sanchez came back to haunt Arsenal as the Chilean opened the scoring in Manchester United's 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win on Friday (Jan 25) to maintain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's
Watch: Sanchez haunts Arsenal as United maintain perfect
The Jurgen Klopp message that provided Liverpool with inspiration as Reds seek Champions League immortality; The Reds boss sought to rally his hurting troops after Kiev and he had an important message that continues to resonate long after the tears of 12 months ago.
Jurgen Klopp labels Liverpool's Barcelona defeat as 'best
Jan 10, 2019 · José Mourinho, pictured at the Primeira Liga match between Vitória and Santa Clara in December, has ruled himself out of the Benfica job. Photograph: Rui Minderico/EPA José Mourinho has spoken
Football news- Jose Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job
Jürgen Klopp accepts Liverpool face a 'big challenge' as they attempt to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit against FC Barcelona tonight - but insisted his side are not finished in the tie. Despite a strong display, the Reds suffered a 3-0 reversal in last week's first meeting at Camp
Liverpool News: Why the Reds must go all out for Donny van de
'World Cup final' for Reds, Football News & Top Stories - The
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch live streaming soccer games
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
watch coppa america live streaming bola
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch soccer live stream app
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch usa soccer live stream
watch coppa america live streaming dailymotion
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch soccer games live stream free
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch coppa america live streaming match
how to watch premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming zip
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch epl live streaming on iphone
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch premier league live streaming zimbabwe
soccer tv live net stream
watch premier league live streaming online
watch soccer live streaming mobile
watch soccer game live now
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming bola
super soccer tv live streaming piala dunia
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch premier league stream reddit
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch live soccer game today
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch live streaming soccer world cup
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming direct
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch champions league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming australia
watch hd soccer live streaming free
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
#afcnews #ignoranza #zinedinezidane #meunier #england #portsmouthfc #firmino #vandijk #realmadrid #manchestercity #linkstreaming #hotcoffee #Barcelona #footballdubai #barcelona #mancity #manchestercity #coffeebreak #Suarez #panini #nutmeg #fut #champion #noelgallagher #pagani #mancityvsliverpool #leomessi #leicestercity #commento #golf #frasirap #copaamerica #mensnightout #valcea #bayern #oasisofficial #frasitrap #crossfit #girlsniteout #ronaldo #vip #lionelmessi #freekick #calciatoribrutti #adidasslipon #roadtrip #tokyo #acmilan #paulmcartney #chocolate #MyDubai #thomasmeunier #arsenalnews #433skills #JUVENTUS #livesports #soccermemes #goal #risate #rockstar #streamingbolaid #bayervshoffenheim #hoffenhiem #oasisengland #kickoff #londoncity #liverpoolfans #watchlive #premierleague #bestshishacafedubai #sunderlandafc #sixtimes #liverpoolcity #league2 #golazo #cr7 #football #cappucino #BMW #coys #winner #romania #salah #ballondor #zidane #Bar #messi #battuteepiche #arsenalfantv #lfc #gooners #henderson #sumbertv #goodday
0 Comments