MADRID: Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Isco (L) celebrating after scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Saturday — AFP MADRID, Mar 17 (AP): It was like old times at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Zinedine Zidane was back on the bench, and Real Madrid was winning again.
The demanding Madrid crowd could finally rejoice on Saturday as Zidane brought the old guard back and began his second stint as coach with a 2-0 win against relegation-threatened Celta Vigo in the Spanish league.
Francisco "Isco" Alarcon, who had been sidelined by former coach Santiago Solari, and Gareth Bale, a reserve before Zidane's return, scored to help Madrid end its four-game losing streak at home and recover some pride.
Marco Asensio, another player who had few chances under Solari, set up Isco's goal while goalkeeper Keylor Navas, back in the starting lineup, made key saves for Madrid.
Zidane's revamped starting lineup also included Marcelo, another player who had succeeded under the French coach but did not play often with Solari.
"Nobody can erase what these players have done for this club in the past," Zidane said. "I'll count on the entire squad, but we know how good Keylor is. I don't even have to talk about Marcelo, and it's the same when it comes to Isco. They are all very good players. They have shown it in the past and I will keep counting on them."
The win moved Madrid within two points of second-place Atletico Madrid, which saw its title chances take a hit after a 2-0 loss at Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona can open a 10-point lead over Diego Simeone's team if it wins at Real Betis on Sunday.
Zidane received an ovation from the crowd when his name was announced before the match, and there was an upbeat atmosphere again following demoralising home losses.
Madrid lost to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and the Spanish league, and to Ajax in the round of 16 in the Champions League - results that virtually ended the team's hopes of winning a trophy this season. It had also lost at home to Girona in the league.
"It's a new beginning," right back Alvaro Odriozola said. "We are all motivated again."
Isco netted from close range in the 62nd minute after Asensio fed Karim Benzema inside the area and the French striker set up the scorer in front of goal. Isco was cheered by the crowd when he was substituted a few moments after the goal, his first of the year.
Bale sealed victory with a shot from inside the area in the 77th.
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