Real Madrid defeats Eibar with a comfortably controlled first-half display to close the gap to Barcelona on LaLiga return
Real Madrid Comfortably defeats Elbar to close the gap to Barcelona on LaLiga return. The team from Madrid saw a controlled, dominant first-half display by Zidane’s boys. Madrid’s players also marked their return from three months break following the coronavirus suspension with a decent 3-point target by beating Eibar 3-1 on Sunday.
Real Madrid’s match against Eibar was their first competitive match at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium. The match followed La Liga’s three-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The game also showed a bit of rustiness on the part of the players. However, their performance improved as the match moved on.
Toni Kroos got Real Madrid off to an ideal start against Eibar at the empty stadium based at their training ground. Kroos scored for Real Madrid in the fourth minute and his goal was a beauty. Captain Sergio Ramos struck on the half-hour mark following a good counter-attack. Marcelo joined in the party by netting in the 37th. Marcelo went on his knee to pay respect to the Black Lives Matter movement . Several sports stars have done similar respects worldwide following the deaths of African-Americans in USA.
However, the Madrid team did ease off after the interval with a lethargic and complacent display. Eibar forward Sergi Enrich struck the woodwork before Pedro Bigas pulled a goal back for the visiting side on the hour mark. Real Madrid coach Zidane used all five of his substitutions as his players continued to tire.The win kept Real Madrid on La Liga leaders Barcelona’s heels with 59 points after 28 games. They are two points behind Barca after the Catalans beat Real Mallorca 4-0 on Saturday. One emotional point sees Real Madric supporting the global movements and trends. After scoring Madrid’s third goal in the 37th minute, Marcelo dropped onto his left knee and raised his clinched right fist into the air. His act is apparently in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Not everything was rosy in the end. Madrid side’s win may have come at a cost as Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos were both substituted early in the second half. Both Real Madrid players were seen with ice packs strapped to them while sitting in the stands. Madrid also confirmed right-back Dani Carvajal had gone off with a knock. Zinedine Zidane will hope both Hazard and Ramos were taking precautions after a lengthy lay-off from competitive action.
Hazard was making his first start for Real Madrid since February and his ice pack appeared to be around his troublesome right ankle. This is reminiscent of his injuries in November and February, before undergoing surgery in March. Zidane noted, “We knew Eden would lack a bit of rhythm playing the whole game. He played well for an hour, he took a knock which was a scare but at half-time he said he was fine. He is happy with what he has done and we are happy with him.” Ramos had ice around his right thigh, but Zinedine Zidane said “It’s just a bit of stiffness, nothing more”.
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