Although Madrid enjoyed possession only 43 per cent of the time, they were the ones who created more opportunities by playing more attacking style of football.
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (R) challenges Celta Vigo's Uruguayan defender Lucas Olaza during the Spanish League football match between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid at the Balaidos Stadium in Vigo on August 17, 2019. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP)
La Liga giants Real Madrid eased past Celta Vigo 3-1 in their opening match of the La Liga campaign. Gareth Bale, who seemed to be out of team manager Zinedine Zidane’s plans, was the star for Real Madrid and helped them bag three points on the points table.
Real at one stage had built a 3-0 lead in the match, courtesy a goal set up by Gareth Bale and finished by Karim Benzema, an excellent strike by Toni Kroos, and a late score by Lucas Vazquez who came in as a substitute.
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Real Madrid were also helped by a disciplined defence and Thibaut Courtois who did a commendable job between the posts.
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Although Madrid enjoyed possession only 43 per cent of the time, they were the ones who created more opportunities by playing more attacking style of football.
However, the star of the match undoubtedly was Gareth Bale, especially since his selection was uncertain days only till a few days before the match. He was not part of Zidane’s plans and his selection in the match was aided by Eden Hazard’s thigh injury which made him unavailable for selection.
“Before the game we talked two or three times to say that he’s going to stay. With the game Gareth had, now we just need to think about the season. I think he and everyone else now are thinking about playing and staying,” Zidane said post the match.
Zidane’s comments are in sharp contrast to what he had stated earlier indicating that Bale was not in his plans for 2019-20 Season. Bale had then missed out on many pre-season friendly matches.
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