Zinedine Zidane’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid started with a win as the recalled Isco and Gareth Bale downed Celta Vigo in LaLiga.
Match Report
Isco and Gareth Bale celebrated their Real Madrid returns under Zinedine Zidane by sealing a 2-0 LaLiga win over Celta Vigo.
Santiago Solari gave Isco a minimal role in his plans but, after Zidane was reappointed to end the Argentinian’s ill-fated tenure, the Spain international returned to the starting XI alongside the similarly ostracised Bale, Marcelo and Keylor Navas.
Bale hit the crossbar and was fortunate not to be sent off, while Navas brilliantly prevented Maxi Gomez from putting relegation-threatened Celta ahead amid an all-action showing from Marcelo.
But it fell to Isco to break the deadlock after the hour and Bale made sure 13 minutes from time, moving Madrid two points behind city rivals Atletico in second ahead of their trip to Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday.
Player Ratings
Match Events
16′ Great save from Navas!
Sisto puts a brilliant ball into the box and picks out Gomez who just directs it past Ramos and the keeper, who had been wrong footed, threw his hand up to top the effort over the crossbar.
30′ CLOSE! Bale’s shot hits the crossbar
Benzema had the first chance but didn’t make good contact with the ball on the overhead kick and the ball bounced up invitingly for Bale who took the shot on the volley. Blanco just stood and watched the shot as it bounced off the woodwork before Araujo was able to get it clear.
58′ OFFSIDE! Modric’s goal disallowed
Celta clear the corner, but they can only find Modric who is waiting outside the box. He doesn’t make great contact with the ball, but it bounces through the crowd of players and nestles into the bottom corner. VAR are looking at the goal though as Varane was in an offside position and had to jump out of the way of the shot and was blocking the keeper’s view of it.
The referee goes across to have a look himself and signals that the goal won’t stand due to Varane’s interference in play from an offside position.
62′ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Celta (Isco)
ISCO GIVES MADRID THE LEAD! It was a quick counter-attack by Madrid and the Celta defenders just seemed to stop on the edge of the box and Isco gets into the space and sidefoots the ball past Blanco and into the back of the net. 1-0 Madrid!
77′ GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Celta (Bale)
BALE MAKES IT TWO! His first touch wasn’t great, but he wasn’t under any pressure from the Celta defence and he was able to set himself and hit his shot into the near post. It bounces off the inside of the woodwork before rolling into the back of the net. 2-0 Madrid!
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Sergio Ramos, L. Modrić, Benzema, Bale, T. Kroos, Marcelo, K. Navas, Isco, R. Varane, Álvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio
Subs: T. Courtois, Nacho, M.Díaz, Ceballos, Reguilón, Valverde, B.Diaz
Celta XI: O. Yokuşlu, Néstor Araújo, Juncà, Kevin Vázquez, Rubén Blanco, Lobotka, S.Boufal, P. Sisto, David Costas, B.Méndez, M. Gómez
Subs: Boudebouz, Jozabed, Sergio Álvarez, Hjulsager, Hoedt, M. Jensen, Fran Beltrán
