Isco and Bale on target as Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo
Santiago Solari outcasts, Isco and Gareth Bale, scored to give Real Madrid a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo in Zinedine Zidane's first game back as the manager.
Real Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo: match report
Zinedine Zidane's second spell as Real Madrid coach got off to a promising start with a 2-0 win at home to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday thanks to goals from Isco and Gareth Bale, who had fallen out of favour with previous coach Santiago Solari.
Spain midfielder Isco was handed his first start in the league since October by returning hero Zidane and broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute by tapping in a low cross from Karim Benzema at close range.
Luka Modric had a goal ruled out for offside earlier in the second half and Bale, who had struck the crossbar in the first period, sealed victory with a shot in off the post in the 77th minute, further lifting the mood at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real are third in the league standings with 54 points after 28 games, two behind second-placed Atletico Madrid who visit Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday and nine points behind leaders Barcelona who play at Real Betis on Sunday.
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo live online: match updates and commentary
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo live online: preview
Real Madrid welcome back Zinedine Zidane as their manager as Celta Vigo go looking for a crucial three points in their battle to stave off relegation. They sit in 18th and a point away from safety. Rayo Vallecano and Villarreal play this weekend though and they are 17th and 19th so one of those teams will drop points. Real Madrid are looking to launch a crusade for second with Atlético Madrid in a similar situation as their city rivals after being knocked out of the Champions League during the week. They sit five points off Simeone's men but need to be careful not to slip to fourth with Getafe's form improving although Zidane's side have a six point cushion on Bordalas' men.
Zinedine Zidane made his shock return to the Real Madrid bench after Santiago Solari was sacked on Monday, but kept a role with the club, after their win over Valladolid last weekend. Zidane is coming into a fairly hopeless situation but there are lots of futures on the line. Will the likes of Marcelo, Bale, Ceballos or Isco start and do they have a place at the club. Isco says it's good news for everybody that the Frenchman is back having been frozen out by the previous manager. Zidane does need to figure out who to replace Camseiro with. He is suspended after his first red for the club last weekend and Marcos Llorente, his natural replacement is injured. Vinicus Junior, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are also out injured.
Celta Vigo are still without Iago Aspas and their form has deserted them sans their captain. Of the nine games they have played since he injured his calf, they won just one. They also lost their manager after Miguel Cardoso was sacked. Hugo Mallo is also suspended but aside from that, Fran Escriba has a full squad to call on. They lost their first game with the new man in charge thanks to a late Jese goal at home against Real Betis. Travelling to the Bernabéu with Zidane bringing some life back to the team isn't an easy task for his second game.