MADRID • After a topsy-turvy campaign and a "tragic" week which saw their hopes of any silverware disappear, Real Madrid were all smiles again at the Bernabeu on Saturday after Zinedine Zidane's return as coach was celebrated with a 2-0 LaLiga victory over Celta Vigo.
The Frenchman brought Real's outcasts in from the cold and they repaid him with an encouraging performance.
Isco, who had not started a single league game under Santiago Solari, gave the Spanish giants the lead shortly after the hour and Gareth 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 said about the players he recalled. "I will count on everyone."
The victory ended a run of four consecutive home defeats for Real who are now two points behind Atletico Madrid and nine adrift of Barcelona.
That deficit will surely prove too big to close, but Zidane's job was to restore morale in the 10 league games that are left and to find out what, and who, needs changing in the summer.
"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."
"Happiness has returned to the dressing room and that's the most important thing," Real goalkeeper Navas told reporters.
"The past is the past, the group is working well. I don't know if we needed a change or not, but the club thought it was necessary.
"Zidane has spoken to each one of us individually and now we need to be professionals and work hard."
Real defender Alvaro Odriozola also spoke of a change in atmosphere with the return of Zidane, who is Real's third coach this season after Julen Lopetegui was sacked in October and Solari last Monday.
"We are all very excited, we have renewed hope after that tragic week," said Odriozola.
"We have to look to the future, end this season with honour and try to win the remaining 10 games. We have to stay focused on competing and not thinking about who is playing or who isn't. Instead, we all need to give 100 per cent."
Elsewhere, Atletico's faint title hopes suffered a setback with a 2-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone admitted that his side were still feeling the effects of their Champions League last-16 collapse against Juventus, saying: "After the bad performance we gave in Turin, we struggled to get going and we couldn't create chances."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight. Crystal Palace to miss Zaha in fifth round tie against Doncaster. Published: February 16, 2019 13:31 AFP. More From Football.
Football: Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight
Football News: Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday's Europa League final against Arsenal because of a knee injury, with coach Maurizio Sarri rat Chelsea sweat on Kante
Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League final
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/05/28/chelsea-sweat-on-kante-fitness-for-europa-league-final/
Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League final AFP May 28, 2019 AFP No Comments Baku (AFP) - Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday's Europa League final against Arsenal because of a knee injury, with coach Maurizio Sarri rating the French star's chances of playing in Baku as no better than "50/50".
Football: Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League
sportsloveme.com/soccer/football-chelsea-sweat-on-kante-fitness-for-europa-league-final/
Football: Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League final 05/28/2019 Chelsea , Europa League BAKU (AFP) - Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday's (May 29) Europa League final against Arsenal because of a knee injury, with coach Maurizio Sarri rating the French star's chances of playing in Baku as no better than
N'Golo Kante still not guaranteed Europa League final start
Kean winner puts Juventus on brink of Serie A title Teenage sensation Moise Kean scored the winner to put Juventus one step away from an eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday as a 2-1 comeback win over AC Milan pushed the champions 21 points clear at the top.
Watch: Kean winner puts Juventus on brink of Serie A title
London-born Nico Yennaris said he was "very proud" after becoming the first foreign-born footballer to represent China in their 2-0 victory over the Philippines on Friday. The former Arsenal and
PARIS (REUTERS) - Edinson Cavani missed a stoppage-time penalty as Paris St Germain continued their stuttering end to the season with a 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at home to Nice, with Neymar notching his
Neymar hits half-century as PSG are held by Nice | Free
Qatar will not take a decision on whether to expand its 2022 World Cup to 48 teams from 32 until it has seen the details of a feasibility study from FIFA, an official from the country's World Cup organising committee said on Monday.
FIFA to make decision on expanding 2022 World Cup in June
Cardiff City 1-2 Chelsea, RESULT: Blues come from behind to seal highly controversial stoppage time win to boost Premier League top four hopes Victor Camarasa opened scoring in opening minute of
How Premier League Title Race And Top-Four Battle Will Be
Tottenham handed boost as Everton suffer double injury blow ahead of final Premier League clash. Marco Silva confirms two players will miss the trip to Spurs
Manchester's homeless in good Kompany - straitstimes.com
Football: Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps Spanish media reports said Real Madrid had agreed a fee of 55 million euros (S$85 million) for Olympique Lyonnais left-back
Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps
Former Barcelona star Paulinho edged two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande into the AFC Champions League last 16 Wednesday, while title-holders Kashima Antlers had to come from a goal behind to
Supersub Smyth stars as Northern Ireland stun South Korea
Solskjaer hails character of players despite winning run coming to an end Last updated: 30 January 2019 - 12.06am Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United delivered an emphatic response to anyone who questioned their battling qualities after a stirring fightback against Burnley.
Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning
Alex Telles stepped up to the penalty spot to send Porto into the Champions League quarter-finals with a win over Roma in a game dominated by VAR. Tiquinho Soares put the home side ahead midway
Ambitious Hougang show title promise. While Hougang United have made some eye-catching signings like former Home United strike pair Faris Ramli (right) and Stipe Plazibat, today's Singapore
Football: Ambitious Hougang United show title promise, but
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen