How Zinedine Zidane gave Real Madrid a 2016 flashback against Celta Vigo

Zinedine Zidane made his return to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, facing Celta Vigo just as he did in his last La Liga game at the stadium only 10 months ago. Back in the Real Madrid hotseat, he made a clear statement with his team selection right from the off, dropping Thibaut Courtois but also recalling some of his former stalwarts, such as Isco and Marcelo.

It was not the freeflowing, awe-inspiring run-out that some had hoped for, but it was fate that it would be Isco, who never made a La Liga start under Santiago Solari, who opened the scoring. Gareth Bale added a second with a fine effort which deflected off the post and in, coming from a Marcelo assist, to seal a 2-0 win over relegation battlers Celta.

Our tactical analysis will use statistics to identify what key points Zidane can take from the game.

Lineups

Right from the off, Zidane made a statement. Courtois, Sergio Reguilon, Dani Ceballos and Nacho were out, alongside the suspended Casemiro, as Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Isco and Bale returned. It was almost a flashback to his last game in charge, when only captain Ramos, who was rested last year, Marco Asensio, who came on as a substitute, and Alvaro Odriozola did not start.

Celta Vigo also made a change with Pione Sisto coming in and Kevin Vazquez replacing the suspended Hugo Mallo, though the absence of former Liverpool man Iago Aspas remains sorely felt.