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.
Legend Cannavaro named new coach of China Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China on Friday, spearheading the ambitious country's attempts to become a footballing force at last.
Football: Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro named new coach of
Goal achieved despite everything going wrong. Cristiano Ronaldo rueing a missed chance in Juventus' 2-1 loss to Young Boys. But they still topped the group as Manchester United also lost.
Goal achieved despite everything going wrong - theworldnews.net
Jan 26, 2019 · Atletico Madrid simply will not let Barcelona run away with La Liga's title. La Liga: Atletico Madrid win again to keep pressure on Barcelona - ProSoccerTalk Atletico Madrid simply will not let
Spanish La Liga | Atletico denied long-awaited win over Barca
Man City's De Bruyne upbeat as he bids to put injuries behind him Kevin De Bruyne's timely return to action for Manchester City is a major boost for Pep Guardiola as his team brace for a
Premier League: Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne upbeat as
SHANGHAI: Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute. Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing debacle | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing
HISTORYMAKER Homes is the premiere DFW home builder offering new DFW and Houston homes for sale in numerous beautiful new communities.
Google Переводчик
The victory was in a Round of 16 first leg match and it had Paul Pogba being sent off late in the game. PSG take charge with 2-0 win at Manchester United, Football; PSG take charge with 2
PSG take charge with 2-0 win at United, Pogba sent off
Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener March 23, 2019 ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AFP) - Memphis Depay dazzled for the Netherlands with a brace and two assists as they cruised past Belarus 4-0 in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier early yesterday despite having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men.
Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/21/depay-fires-dutch-past-belarus-in-euro-2020-qualifying-opener/
Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener AFP March 21, 2019 AFP No Comments Rotterdam (Netherlands) (AFP) - Memphis Depay dazzled for the Netherlands with a brace and two assists as they cruised past Belarus 4-0 in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday despite having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men.
Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener
Fit-again Kane ready to make 'massive impact' LONDON • With the earlier-than-expected return of "animal" Harry Kane to full-time training, Tottenham are ready to bare their claws as the business end of the Premier League season approaches.
Fit-again Kane in contention for Tottenham trip to Burnley
Barcelona are 12 points clear at the top of La Liga. (Source: Reuters) Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga title after winning 2-0 at Alaves on Tuesday, leaving them 12 points clear at the top of the table with four games to play.
Football: Barcelona on verge of La Liga title after beating
City announce pre-season match in Japan - Manchester City FC
Football: Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct for his behaviour during Monday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley, the English Football Association said. The Chelsea coach was
Chelsea's Sarri charged with misconduct over Burnley
watch soccer online free streaming live south africa
watch premier league net live stream channel
cpl 2018 live streaming watch caribbean premier league t20 2018
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch coppa america live streaming world
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch premier league live stream hd
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
soccer tv live net stream
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch soccer live streaming juventus
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming match
watch champions league live streaming malaysia
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch english premier league live streaming free
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch coppa america live streaming pc
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch soccer online free streaming live app
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online india
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch premier league live streaming yify
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch soccer games live stream free
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
how to watch premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch champions league live streaming eng
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch soccer live stream links
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch coppa america live streaming english
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch champions league final live streaming
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch premier league live streaming vf
watch champions league live streaming vk
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch soccer live stream app
watch usa soccer live stream
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch champions league live streaming live
watch champions league live streaming xfinity
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming video
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch champions league live streaming video
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch coppa america live streaming hd free
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
watch champions league live stream uk
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
#footballdubai #nikesoccer #Vip45 #pagani #comico #fcbarcelona #meunier #midnight #freekick #londoncity #hoffenhiem #football #panini #gooners #zinedinezidane #sixtimes #liverpool #goodday #ronaldo #petercrouch #klopp #gym #liverpool #footballmeme #freekicks #oudmehta #winner #zidane #chocolatecoffee #Liverpool #romania #lfc #footballfans #BMW #uefanationsleague #henderson #coutinho #footballmemes #myfootballuniverse #fut #commento #juventus #afcnews #bestshishacafedubai #rockstar #cr7 #mancity #beatifulgame #Sunday #433skills #manchestercity #manchesterunited #kroenkeout #nutmeg #Barcelona #adidasslipon #leomessi #footballstreaming #manchestercity #battuteepiche #goal #livestreaming #arsenal #coffeebreak #4Series
No comments:
Post a Comment