Real’s Bale and Ronaldo score in Eibar defeat

Despite elite names like Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez being on display for the away side, the Royal Whites would manage just two shots on Asier Riesgo’s goal – with the tie, worryingly, looking a relatively even affair.

Rafa Benitez praised his players following Real Madrid 0-2 win over Eibar in La Liga.

According to the Sunday Mirror, following Madrid president Florentino Perez’s vote of confidence in Benitez, Ronaldo is ready to act on his word and leave the club.

Real Madrid will be hoping a change of scenery provides an upturn in fortunes when they travel to Basque minnows Eibar’s 6,000 capacity Ipurua on Sunday aiming to make amends for their 4-0 humiliation by Barcelona.

Keylor Navas has underlined the importance of Real Madrid’s win over Eibar, as he feels the victory keeps their Liga title bid on track. “I respect everyone, but they have tried to play me for a fool and I can not defense the indefensible”, said Valbuena in the Le Monde newspaper over Benzema’s role in the case, which will saw the Madrid striker arrested in France at the start of this month.

The Portugal captain has often been fielded at the focal point of Benitez’s attacking system this season, especially in the absence of Karim Benzema, while Bale has been deployed in a central attacking midfield role.

Third-placed Real now have 27 points from 13 games, two behind Atletico Madrid, while Barca have 33 points. From 12 yards Ronaldo made no mistake, hitting the ball straight down the middle of the goal to score a ninth league goal of the season. “Their goals are two lapses in concentration that could have been avoided, that’s all there is to it”, he was quoted as saying by Real’s website after the match.

The article suggests that the club’s board believe they can get at least the majority of the £80 million (fee via BBC Sport) they paid for Ronaldo’s services back, having signed the player six years ago from United. We went 14 games unbeaten, we can go to Eibar and show the fans we have a team who will continue fighting.