Real Madrid are set to clash with SD Eibar for their La Liga tie on Saturday afternoon. The tie is going to take place at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium, Eibar’s home stadium.
The Galacticos are coming off an impressive win over Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Round of 16 UEFA Champions League fixture.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the first leg at home, which Real won 3-1, and he headed in from Lucas Vazquez’s cross to extend the Galactico’s lead in France.
PSG had midfielder Marco Verratti sent off for two bookable offences before Edinson Cavani pulled a goal back.
But Casemiro’s heavily deflected strike sealed Real’s victory.
Real are now into the Champions League quarter-finals for an eighth successive season and remain on course for a third title in a row. However, this is a complete contradiction to the season they are enduring on the domestic stage. They have already been kicked out of the Copa Del Rey after being beaten on away goals against Leganes earlier in the year.
Zinedine Zidane’s job has been under threat due to side’s weak title challenge. At one point, Madrid were even struggling to hold onto their top-4 spot facing heavy competition from Valencia and Sevilla.
They have uplifted themselves up to the 3rd spot of the points table but are still 15-points behind their bitter rivals in the race for the league title. Even though Madrid will have to prioritize all their efforts on the continental competition, this fixture cannot be taken lightly. It will be embarrassing for them to finish out of the Champions League spots and end the season without any silverware.
Nothing short of a win is expected against a team placed in the 8th seed of the La Liga. Here is how the Los Blancos might lineup on matchday.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
Keylor Navas should find himself in the goalkeeper position despite playing the mid-week fixture against PSG. Kiko Casilla still has ways to go before he can be considered for such important ties.
Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos are expected to start in the centre-half roles with Daniel Carvajal and Theo Hernandez providing cover from the flanks. Marcelo is expected to get a breather in order to not risk further injury.
Midfield
Both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos both missed the previous fixtures and should mark a return by getting fielded in the central midfield roles.
Casemiro is the best choice for the anchor role behind the duo.
Attack
Gareth Bale made only a substitute appearance in the last tie and is fit enough to start this game. While he takes on the right wing, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema could fill in the final third.
