0-2. Real Madrid show their formidable strength to win a game they did not dominate
Real Madrid showed their formidable strength to win 0-2 in Ipurua in a match that they did not dominate and where Eibar competed from the first to the last minute
The first half was completely controlled by Eibar, who applied pressure high up the pitch and prevented the Real Madrid midfielders from manoeuvring.
The game was played predominantly in the midfield and the ball barely threatened either of the two penalty areas.
The goal that put Real Madrid ahead came from their only corner in the first forty-five minutes. Taken short, the ball came to Modric who crossed it, and Gareth Bale got there before the Armeros’ defence to score. It was just two minutes before half-time.
The goal, the first that Mendilibar’s team had conceded this season in a set piece, demonstrated that it is not enough to do work hard against a team that just needs a single chance to score.
In the second half Eibar pushed forward more and Real Madrid fell back slightly, looking for speed on the counter attack.
The Armeros attacked using the wings but Madrid showed great tactical discipline and did not concede a single chance.
The winner came in minute 82 with the goal Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot, following the incident in which Lucas Vázquez fell after a challenge from Dani García.
The low point of the last few minutes of the match was Gonzalo Escalante being shown the yellow card, which was his tenth of the season and will prevent him from playing on Sunday in Anoeta against Real Sociedad. But a more positive note was the début in the First Division of Izet Hajrovic, who came on in minute 85.