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.
Wigan 0 Everton 1: Tim Cahill heads late winner as Toffees extend splendid run. 'In Germany when I win, after the game I am half p****d, but I didn't even get a water!':
West Ham 0-2 Everton RESULT - Toffees win at London Stadium
Paul Gascoigne is set to appear before a judge to face a sexual assault charge. The former England, Middlesbrough and Newcastle star denied kissing a woman while travelling from York to Newcastle
LONDON: The search for Cardiff City's new football star, Emiliano Sala, resumed on Wednesday 36 hours after the light aircraft he was flying on disappeared in the English Channel. Sala was flying from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff for his club debut when the plane lost radar contact off the English Channel island of Guernsey late on
Emiliano Sala: Missing Cardiff City footballer search resumes
Welcome to our live Chelsea blog where we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news from Stamford Bridge. The Blues kept up the pace in the race for a top four place with their 2-1 win over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Chelsea versatile midfielder edge closer to seal shock move
chelseacrowd.com/2019/03/28/chelsea-versatile-midfielder-edge-closer-to-seal-shock-move-to-arsenal/
Arsenal have seemingly moved ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The Blues secured a season-long loan deal for Kovacic last summer, and Maurizio Sarri is likely to be keen on securing the Croatia international's signature on a permanent basis should he remain at Stamford Bridge.
Paul Pogba ready to push for Real Madrid move - but first
Joseph Chipolina's own goal and a late effort from substitute Robbie Brady handed the Republic of Ireland a Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Gibraltar. On a night when 36,281 turned up at the
Own goal helps Ireland edge Gibraltar 2-0 - Football - Eurosport
Premier League: Liverpool extend lead at top, Arsenal slip up
Solskjaer: United don't fear Camp Nou test Manchester United's Norwegian head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer walks on the pitch at the end of their English Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 10, 2019.
Champions League: Solskjaer insists Man United don't fear
Football News -BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Barcelona closed in on the La Liga title on Saturday (April 20) after earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp, with goals from
Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho says his team will 'fight like animals' to retain their Premier League crown. City lead Liverpool at the top of the table by a single point after their 2
Premier League: Man City claim second successive title
Gareth Bale is still "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star's agent insisted on Monday. Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked with a
Gareth Bale is 100% committed to Real Madrid, insists agent
Apr 29, 2019 · Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend's action Chris Hughton's position looks uncertain after five successful years, Youri Tielemans catches the eye but Leicester will face a
Premier League talking points - Astute buy, tough starts
Chelsea passed another tough test in Europe after claiming a valuable away draw in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt. Luka Jovic gave the Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea - Europa League semi-final
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
Serie A Recap: Kean's goal puts Juventus on brink of league
It has been a busy 24 months since Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Lim Kia Tong and his team were elected, but he knows there can be no let up if the national football body hopes
Football: FAS president Lim Kia Tong calls for change of
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch soccer games online free streaming live
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch premier league live streaming live
watch the champions league live stream
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch live streaming soccer games
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
watch premier league live streaming video
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch champions league live streaming kenya
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch soccer live streaming mobile
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch premier league live streaming yify
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch soccer live stream app
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch english premier league live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming match
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming uk
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch soccer online free streaming live cricfree
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
watch premier league live stream hd
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch coppa america live streaming world
watch premier league darts live stream
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch soccer aid live stream
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch soccer aid live stream online
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming online
apps to watch live streaming soccer
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
free watch soccer live streaming
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch soccer live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch live soccer stream android
tv soccer live stream sky
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch live soccer streaming on android
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
watch coppa america live streaming zip
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming spain
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch champions league live streaming live
watch champions league live streaming vk
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch premier league matches live streaming
soccer tv live net stream
watch premier league live streaming online
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch coppa america live streaming barcelona
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming direct
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch soccer online free streaming live in english
watch premier league games live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
#adidasslipon #golazo #arsenal #hoffenhiem #MyDubai #coys #oasisofficial #linkstreaming #footballmeme #comics #bayern #rockstar #GarageCafeDxb #MSport #livestreams #frasitrap #footballstreaming #coffeebreak #bundesliga #acmilan #Barca #footballschedule #bayernmunich #manchestercity #coyg #liverpoolfans #satira #manunited #arsenalfantv #londoncity #manchesterunited #football #noelgallagher #myfootballuniverse #ignoranza #zidane #frasirap #oasisengland #girlsniteout #messi #Barcelona #klopp #beatifulgame #premierleague #nikesoccer #commento #chocolatecoffee #football #cappucino #boxing #winner #championsleague #england #risate #league2 #chocolate #rugby #commentimemorabili #realmadridcf #visubal #24x7 #liverpoolcity #juventus #copaamerica #conference #henderson #Vip45 #watchlive #nationsleague
No comments:
Post a Comment