Zinedine Zidane's head-coaching career got off to a winning start as Real Madrid defeated Deportivo La Coruna 5-0 in the Spanish league Saturday. Gareth Bale had a hat trick and Karim Benzema scored twice, including with a back-heel flick. Zidane received a warm welcome at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, with fans loudly cheering the former galactico before and after the game. It was a completely different atmosphere compared to when Rafa Benitez was in charge. Benitez was jeered in nearly every game since a demoralizing 4-0 home loss to Barcelona in November, a result that ignited a crisis at the Spanish giant. "The fans were behind the team from the first minute until the end. It was a great atmosphere," Zidane said. "But we have to understand that this was only the first game, we have to keep winning. The goal is to keep playing well and keep winning games." Real Madrid moved to within two points of Barcelona, which earlier defeated Granada 4-0 with a hat trick by Lionel Messi and a goal by Neymar. Third-place Atletico Madrid was one point behind Barcelona. Zidane, who thrived at Madrid until retiring in 2006, stepped up from Madrid's B team when Benitez was fired this week after seven months on the job. "It means a lot to me to be here," Zidane said. "I want to enjoy this win." Benzema opened the scoring by using his back heel to redirect Sergio Ramos' shot off a corner, then Bale headed in a cross from Dani Carvajal seven minutes later, and found the net from close range after a cross by Cristiano Ronaldo to open the second half. Bale's third goal was another header, and Benzema's second came in the game's last play. Ronaldo's best opportunity was when he struck the post with a first-half header. Also, Sevilla defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 to win its eighth straight home game and move to sixth in the standings. Lyon secures first win in new stadium Lyon celebrated its first match at its new Stade des Lumieres home with its first French League win in two months, 4-1 over last-place Troyes Saturday. Continuing its recovery under new coach Bruno Genesio, Lyon earned goals by France striker Alexande Lacazette, Rachid Ghezzal, Jordan Ferri, and Claudio Beauvue in the 58,500-capacity arena. "It might be the most emotional day in my life," longtime Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said. "Tonight, the stadium was nearly filled out." The win ended a six-match winless run in the league, and provisionally lifted Lyon to sixth place, five points behind second-place Angers. Troyes remained at the bottom of the standings, 13 points below safety. Unbeaten domestically this season, runaway leader Paris Saint-Germain has a 20-point lead over Angers after defeating Bastia 2-0 Friday. In the match between the league's two surprise outfits, Angers beat fourth-place Caen 2-0. Monaco dropped to third place after coming back from two goals down to draw with visiting Gazelec Ajaccio 2-2. Former France midfielder Yoann Gourcuff did not score for Rennes but played his first game since March after recovering from a foot injury, going on as a substitute with less than 20 minutes left of a 2-2 draw with Lorient. Also, Bordeaux beat Montpellier 1-0 away and Toulouse prevailed at Reims 3-1. — Agencies
