Zinedine Zidane’s return to Real Madrid started off on a winning note as Los Blancos saw off Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Isco and Gareth Bale got on to the scoresheet to hand Madrid a 2-0 victory.
Zidane reflected on the game in his post-match press conference and appreciated the hard work put in by the players.
“The first half was complicated. We have some difficult but that’s normal. The second half was difficult too but the public helped us and the players worked hard. I’m very happy, I’m happy because the most important thing is to win,” he said (h/t AS.com).
Gareth Bale
“You know that for us, and for them the challenge was to win. We started with some difficult but the end of the second half was really good. Happy because we got there. I don’t know how many crosses we had, 20 or more.
“I’m happy for Isco and his goal. The important thing after three training sessions was to win. Now, we have a bit of time, the ones that don’t go with their national teams, they can work. There are 10 games left and you have to finish well.”
The Frenchman also spoke about his decision to give the old horses a chance. Isco, Keylor Navas and Marcelo were some of the players who were neglected by Santiago Solari. Zidane made a statement by including them against Celta and eventually, it all worked out well.
“The feelings are good. We looked for a result and we achieved it. It wasn’t a good start, but you had to be patient. We improved at the end of the first half and in the second. I’m happy.
Keylor Navas
“I like Courtois to. Thibaut has shown he is a great keeper but I want Keylor to feel important too. I don’t forget what he has done. He has played less but he has to play.
“Nobody can forget what these players have done here. I will count on all of them. On Courtois, on (Sergio) Reguilon, but Keylor, Macelo and Isco are all good players. What I like most is that we crossed more than 20 times and then we got the rebound.
“For Marcelo, it’s the same as Keylor. It’s not a thing about Courtois, Reguilon or the one that lost their place to Isco. What I want to do is recover all the players,” he concluded.
