The recalled stars came up with the goods as the French coach’s return to the helm started with a win against Celta Vigo.
Zinedine Zidane reiterated that his Real Madrid squad have a clean slate as his second reign as head coach began with a 2-0 La Liga win over Celta Vigo.
Isco and Gareth Bale celebrated their recalls to the starting line-up with second-half goals, while Keylor Navas and Marcelo returned from exile to impress.
Navas has been second choice for most of this season following Belgiumgoalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ arrival from Chelsea, while Sergio Reguilon had condemned a seemingly disinterested Marcelo to the bench towards the end of Santiago Solari’s ill-fated tenure.
“Nobody here, or anywhere, can take away what these players have done here. I have a squad of 23, 24, 25 players and will count on them all,” said Zidane, who won three consecutive Champions Leagues with the bulk of his current squad before standing down at the end of last season.
An atmosphere of positive encouragement to welcome their returning hero marked a welcome change at the Santiago Bernabeu to recent games and Zidane felt his team grew into the contest against their relegation-threatened visitors.
