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.
London: Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi says he will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Monday's 2-2 draw against Burnley. Hudson-Odoi limped off helped by two members of Chelsea's medical staff after sustaining the injury in the first half of the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's Hudson-Odoi says he will miss rest of season
Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/05/24/messi-backs-valverde-but-admits-barca-are-still-hurting/
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting AFP May 24, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
'He's great to watch, but he's not God' - Pope sets fans straight on Messi FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis receives a Barcelona soccer jersey of player Lionel Messi during the weekly audience in Saint
He's great to watch, but he's not God: Pope sets fans
President Anil Murthy (right) is seem welcoming midfielder Francis Coquelin to the club both better going forward than defending but Valencia play with such a well-drilled 4-4-2 that the
Valencia CF Official webpage - Valencia Club de Fútbol
en.valenciacf.com
Página web oficial del Valencia CF. Toda la información del Club. Noticias, calendario, venta de entradas, fotos, vídeos y servicios a los aficionados. Amunt Valencia
Valencia CF - Wikipedia
Solskjaer lavishes praise on De Gea after United maintain winning run. It extended caretaker boss Solskjaer's winning start to a club-record sixth successive match in all competitions, but
Man City's title hopes dented, Solskjaer's winning run ends
SINGAPORE - The Football Association of Singapore unveiled Joe Palatsides as its new technical director at a press conference at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (May 2). The 53-year-old Australian worked at A-League club Melbourne City from 2012 before he resigned last month as the assistant coach of the senior team.
Football: New FAS technical director Joseph Palatsides
Australia's captain Tim Paine (right) shakes hand with Indian captain Virat Kohli after winning the second Test in Perth on Tuesday. (AFP) Nine months on from the biggest scandal to hit
Paine and Kohli clash as Australia takes a grip on the second
Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win. March 2 - - Wolverhampton Wanderers shook off their recent poor Premier League form to ease past Cardiff City 2-0 on Saturday and leave the Welsh team in the relegation zone after a third straight defeat.
Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win
LONDON • Vincent Kompany believes that he has a duty to tackle the issue of homelessness in Manchester, which he has called home for the past 10 years.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Manchester's homeless in good Kompany - theworldnews.net
Three-times champions Iran came through an early scare before marching confidently into the Asian Cup quarter-finals for the 13th time in 14 attempts with a 2-0 victory over a spirited Oman team. on Sunday. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand saved an Oman penalty in the opening minute but a goal from winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh and a successful
Soccer: Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into
LONDON • The path is now clear for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to take up the full-time reins at Manchester United, after the caretaker manager yesterday made clear he was no longer contracted to Molde..
It all points to Solskjaer - theworldnews.net
Irving sends teaser with July 1 remark, Football News & Top
Ex-Man Utd hero Phil Neville wants his players to show plenty of Neville wants his Lionesses to hit the ground running against the French. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent
England must keep being ruthless - Phil Neville - YouTube
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino fears Harry Kane could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City. The striker had to be helped down the tunnel by Spurs staff after appearing to turn his left ankle following a challenge with Fabian Delph in the second half
Harry Kane Could Be Out For The Season, Says Pochettino
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch soccer live streaming hd
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch soccer aid live stream
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
watch english premier league live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch premier league live streaming juventus
how to watch premier league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live south africa
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch live soccer stream android
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch soccer live stream app
watch premier league live streaming quality
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch champions league live streaming vk
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming usa
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch premier league live streaming live
watch champions league live streaming match
watch soccer online free streaming live cricfree
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch coppa america live streaming indosiar
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch premier league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch premier league live streaming yify
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch soccer live stream hunter
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch champions league live streaming now
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch soccer aid live stream online
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch live soccer streaming on android
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch champions league live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming australia
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch premier league live in stream
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch soccer online free streaming live
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch soccer live stream apk
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch live english premier league online free streaming
watch coppa america live streaming youtube
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch us soccer live stream
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch champions league live streaming juventus
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming barcelona
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch premier league live streaming vf
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch usa soccer live stream
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch premier league live streaming online
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch soccer game live now
watch coppa america live streaming world
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch live soccer game today
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch champions league live stream uk
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch coppa america live streaming yify
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch the champions league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming dailymotion
free watch champions league live streaming
watch premier league games live stream
super soccer tv live streaming napoli vs juventus
watch coppa america live streaming english
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
watch soccer games live stream free app
watch coppa america live streaming bola
#watchlive #rugby #midnight #romania #adidasslipon #livestreaming #serieatim #klopp #liverpoolfans #league1 #trollfootball #paulmcartney #ucl #livesports #portsmouthfc #nutmeg #visubal #uefanationsleague #golf #valcea #24x7 #kopisusu #MyDubai #Liamgallagher #golazo #elcasico #4Series #lovefootball #soccermemes #sixtimes #Fcb #freekicks #league2 #americanfootball #433skills #pagani #roadtrip #messi #premierleague #Barca #realmadrid #freekick #GarageCafeDxb #frasirap #knuckleball #oasisofficial #goodday #petercrouch #leicestercity #salah #nationsleague #ronaldo #championship #MSport #cappucino #cr7 #arsenal
0 Comments