Real Madrid failed to ease the pressure on coach Zinedine Zidane as
Eibar held them to their fourth successive stalemate across all
competitions with a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Zidane's men were frustrated by Villarreal, Las Palmas and Borussia
Dortmund in their previous three matches, but were expected to coast to
victory against the Basque outfit.
However, the dogged visitors had other ideas and emerged with a thoroughly deserved share of the spoils.
The hosts endured a troubling start as Fran Rico gave Eibar the lead
after just six minutes, but the ever-reliable combination of Cristiano
Ronaldo and Gareth Bale ensured Madrid were not behind for long – the
Welshman equalising in the 18th minute.
Madrid unsurprisingly dominated possession and Alvaro Morata's
half-time introduction made a real difference to their energy in attack,
with Bale striking the post on the hour mark.
Eibar proved resilient opponents and dug deep in the latter stages,
though, ultimately holding off the inevitable late onslaught to claim a
point.
Madrid enjoyed a lot of the ball during the early exchanges and Bale
went particularly close to breaking the deadlock with a 20-yard drive
which found the side netting.
Eibar took their chance when it came as Ander Capa delivered a
brilliant cross from the right flank and Rico was there to nod beyond
Keylor Navas after Pepe – in for the rested Sergio Ramos – missed his
header.
But Eibar were always likely to struggle keeping the home
side's talented attack at bay and the hosts drew level in the 17th
minute – Ronaldo clipping a fine cross towards the back post from the
left for Bale to head past the helpless Asier Riesgo.
Madrid became increasingly dominant as the first half progressed and
Karim Benzema should have steered home from six yards after half an
hour, but he turned Danilo's cutback wide of the left-hand post.
That proved to be Benzema's only real contribution as he was replaced
by Morata at the break and the Spaniard looked hungry, helping craft a
great chance in the 53rd minute.
Morata headed Bale's cross into the danger zone and found Isco, who
saw his shot blocked and then Ronaldo sliced the rebound over from 12
yards.
The dangerous Bale was at the centre of things again shortly after,
as he darted in front of Antonio Luna on the edge of the box to meet
Mateo Kovacic's lofted pass with a powerful header which came back off
the right-hand post.
Madrid poured men forward in desperation as the full-time whistle
approached, but Mauro dos Santos' accidental header straight at his own
goalkeeper from a corner in the 86th minute was as close as they came,
with Eibar holding on for a famous point.
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