Real Madrid faced Eibar in La Liga on Saturday in the cold and rain of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu looking to avoid a second defeat in four days, having been beaten by Valencia at the Mestalla in midweek. The historic thrashing that Santiago Solari received in his first game in permanent charge at Ipurua earlier in the season left a bitter taste in the mouth and Zinedine Zidanes players were out for revenge.
It didnt look much like that though, as Eibar took the lead through Marc Cardona early on in the first half to stun an empty Bernabéu. It was not until midway through the second half that the fightback began, with Karim Benzema heading in from Marco Asensios cross, only to go on to head in a winner several minutes later.
Our tactical analysis will use statistics to identify what key points Zidane can take from the game as his team returned to winning ways, despite seemingly having little to play for.
Lineups
Sergio Reguilón, Federico Valverde and Gareth Bale grabbed the headlines for the lineups as the trio all returned to starting action. Zidane continued his policy of rotation with his team but refused to underestimate Eibar, going with his first choice attacking trident.
Eibar were forced into a last-minute change of their own, bringing Barcelona loanee Cardona into the side in place of midweek hero Pedro Leon just 15 minutes before kick-off. He joined fellow Culé Marc Cucurella in the lineup, featuring Eibars preferred 4-1-4-1 shape.
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