Gareth Bale scored three goals and helped Real Madrid destroy Deportivo la Coruna 5-0 in Zinedine Zidane’s debut as a manager.
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“When you win a game, the coach can only be happy, and I am happy”.
“These things happen [regarding Rafa Benitez’s dismissal]”. He was being jeered at almost every game at home, even in 8-0 and 10-2 wins, and setbacks in important league games eventually led to his firing after only seven months in the job.
But hopes of excitement were high when it was confirmed Zidane would back up the potent attacking triumvirate of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo with a forward thinking midfield for his first fixture in charge.
“I didn’t really have a favourite…”
“I am thankful to the fans because they come to see the players”.
“I make some changes now when I can and I have the chance to share out the burden”, Luis Enrique told a news conference.
“You can never predict what happens in the future, but I’m enjoying my football at the moment so I’ll keep going”.
Home goalkeeper Keylor Navas meanwhile struggled to explain what had changed in the team since Zidane’s arrival, but said the World Cup victor had given the players renewed belief.
“We played a lot more rapidly and we functioned as a team in the way was always should function”, Modric added.
After a tumultuous week in which a coach he was comfortable working with was sacked and replaced by Zinedine Zidane, Bale had given the sort of complete performance that suggests there is no limit to what he might achieve. “I want to try and enjoy it”. ‘My best position is being able to roam and look for the weaknesses in the defence.
“It was quite a long day but I’m happy”. Holders Arsenal, bidding to become the first club to win the trophy three times in succession since Blackburn Rovers in the 19th century, came from a goal down to beat Sunderland 3-1.
Monday will likely see Ronaldo, soon to turn 31, lose his Ballon d’Or throne to Messi, 29 in June, with Neymar, 24 in February also on the podium at the gala in Zurich. This time a year ago we were clear and we had not lost in 22 games. Instead, the 26-year-old turned attention to the title race.
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When he was substituted with a quarter of an hour to go, the Welshman received a standing ovation from the club’s supporters who previously displayed some measure of hostility towards him. “You always have to have confidence if you want to do well, and I think we’re progressing”.
