IN-FORM RONALDO
His double puts Real on verge of La Liga title
MADRID Toni Kroos rounded off the scoring to keep Madrid on course for a La Liga and Champions League double.
“We played with incredible attitude and personality,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
Ronaldo was starting his first La Liga game away from home for nearly two months as in contrast to recent weeks, Zidane didn’t rotate his starting XI.
The Frenchman went with the same side that withstood an Atletico Madrid revival to book their place in the Champions League final a week ago.
And he was rewarded early on as Marcelo fed Isco and after he was dispossessed on the edge of the area, Ronaldo smashed the loose ball high into the net.
“He has managed things very well,” Ronaldo added on Zidane.
“I feel good. Everything is decided in the final weeks of the season and I am doing well. I am scoring goals and helping the team.”
Celta have now lost eight of their last nine La Liga games having concentrated on their run to the Europa League semi-finals that was ended by Manchester United last week.
However, they eliminated Madrid from the King’s Cup earlier this season and put the European champions to the test once more.
Daniel Wass stung the palms of Keylor Navas with a fiercely struck free-kick before Aspas fired just wide twice in quick succession.
And Celta also had a penalty appeal waived away before the break when Raphael Varane handled inside his own area.
“We scored early and then had 20 difficult minutes,” added Zidane. “In the second-half we controlled the game more because the first-half it was end-to-end which isn’t our game.” AFP