Real Madrid – SD Eibar: Real Madrid’s Clinical Finishing Punishes Eibar (3-1)

A pretty spacious affair occurred between Real Madrid and SB Eibar. Madrid’s ability to play through Eibar’s pressing system and their decisiveness in front of goal proved to be the difference.

Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma.

Hosts Real Madrid came into their first post-lockdown game having seen Barcelona claim a big win the preceding evening. Real were in second place, six points behind their rivals. Contrastingly, Eibar were floating perilously close to the relegation zone, only two points ahead of eighteenth-placed Mallorca. All in all, this clash was crucial for both sides with Eibar also looking to make amends for their 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this league campaign. 

Real Madrid were put out in their usual 4-3-3 formation by Zinedine Zidane. Thibaut Courtois was in goal and had Daniel Carvajal, Raphaël Varane, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo shielding him. Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić were the midfield three with Casemiro playing in the deepest role. Rodrygo earned a starting spot despite the illustrious names on the bench. The young Brazilian and Eden Hazard would provide width for the home side. The two would continuously drift across the pitch and switch sides during the game while Karim Benzema would continue in his role leading the attack.

José Mendilibar lined up his Eibar side in a 4-3-3 formation. Their man in goal was Marko Dmitrović and his backline of four consisted of Rober Correa, Paulo Oliveira, Anaitz Arbilla and debutant Rafa Soares. Much like the role of . . .