Zinedine Zidane does it his way on Real Madrid return as Gareth Bale, Keylor Navas, Marcelo and Isco all shine

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Ben Hayward16 March 2019

Zinedine Zidane is back and he is doing it his way.

The coach returned to Real Madrid on Monday and wiped the slate clean with his out-of-favour players. Before kick-off, his intentions became clear as soon as the starting XI was announced.

Keylor Navas returned in goal in place of Thibaut Courtois; Marcelo was reinstated in defence; Isco was back in midfield; and Gareth Bale was included in attack.

All have had their problems in recent weeks and months. Navas was used only in the Copa del Rey by Santiago Solari, while Marcelo had not started since early February, Isco was frozen out by the Argentine and Bale booed by fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But all four shone in the 2-0 win over Celta Vigo in Zidane's first game back.

Navas produced a super save in the first half to push a Maxi Gomez header wide and the Bernabeu chanted his name. "Keylor, Keylor, Navas," they sang, to the tune of Queen's We Will Rock You. As Madrid struggled to get going, that stop kept the home side on level terms. And he was cheered again as he punched clear following the resulting corner.

Isco gave the ball away on occasions and was subjected to a few ironic cheers when he fell over in the first half, but the midfielder popped up with the all-important opening goal in the second half as he poked home from close range in what was to be his final contribution as he left the pitch moments later to an ovation, his name cheered, and a hug from his coach. What a difference a week makes.

Bale was perhaps fortunate to escape a red card for an elbow on Kevin Vazquez, but the Welshman worked hard all afternoon in the bright sunshine and eventually received his reward. The 29-year-old tracked back to help out Alvaro Odriozola, was unfortunate with a scissor kick in the first half which hit the crossbar, came close with a fantastic run and shot after the break and later made it 2-0 with a low shot inside the post.

That came from a Marcelo pass and the Brazilian's return to the line-up was also much happier than his recent forays. Madrid had won just one of the previous nine games he had started and he had been a liability. But after a slow start, he grew into the game, attacked high up the pitch and gave his team an outlet on the left. His clever cut inside and pass for Bale's goal rounded off a satisfactory afternoon.

AFP/Getty Images

"The sensations are good," Zidane said afterwards. "We went in search of the win and we got it. We didn't start well, but we had to be patient. We improved at the end of the first half and in the second. I'm happy."

On Navas' return, he said: "That's what I decided today. But Courtois will play as well. We also have Luca [Zidane]. We need three good goalkeepers."

Starting the Costa Rican was a sign, though, that he was keen to make a statement. Likewise the inclusion of Marcelo, Isco and Bale.

"We have a squad of 23, 24 or 25 players and I want them all to be important," Zidane said. And asked if he is looking at players to see which ones will leave in the summer, he said: "No. I'm not thinking about that. There will be changes in the summer, but I'm not going to use these next 10 games to look at which players will stay and which will leave. This is not the playground."

Perhaps not. But it was a much happier scenario than it had been in recent times, following four consecutive defeats at the Bernabeu under Solari.

That is history now. Zidane is back, he is doing it his way and he already has Navas, Marcelo, Isco and Bale back on board. And while improvements to the play will obviously be needed, It is a strong start.

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