Real Madrid lurched back into crisis after a fully deserved 3-0 defeat at Eibar in Santi Solari’s first match as the club’s new full-time coach.
Eibar unsurprisingly went ahead midway through the first half when midfielder Gonzalo Escalante finished off a counterattack, with their dominance further emphasised after the break when Sergi Enrich and Kike Garcia both netted, as the Basques enjoyed their first ever La Liga victory over Madrid.
The result could have been even worse for a Real Madrid side whose bounce during Solari’s time as interim coach is well and truly over.
Positives
The first 10 minutes or so were not so bad…
Negatives
Madrid’s season plumbed new depths with a first ever defeat at Ipurua and huge issues in attack, midfield and defence.
Only bottom side Huesca have conceded more goals away from home than Madrid, and the crisis alarms are ringing again at the Bernabeu.
Manager rating out of 10
5 — Solari’s debut as full time coach saw the team showing all the old failings which led to predecessor Julen Lopetegui’s sacking.
Madrid’s big-name individuals were off the pace throughout, while Eibar had a better idea of what they wanted to do as a team, both with and without the ball.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 7 — Easily Madrid’s best player on the day, which is saying something when you get beaten 3-0. Finger-tipped a Kike 25-yarder off the post at 0-0, and it could have been 5-0 but for two super stops in the second half to deny Fabian Orellana and Charles Diaz.
DF Alvaro Odriozola, 5 — Regularly beaten by on-loan Barcelona youngster Marc Cucurella, who easily picked his pocket to lay on Eibar’s second goal. Even worse was Odriozola injuring a thigh muscle in the challenge, and having to be replaced immediately.
DF Raphael Varane, 5 — Looked shaky throughout on his return to club action after injury, with the worst moment losing his man twice as Kike was allowed to walk into six-yard box and tap home the third goal.
DF Sergio Ramos, 6 — Whether bothered or not by a doping story breaking overnight, Madrid’s captain and defensive leader must take responsibility for a back four which was once again totally overrun.
DF Marcelo, 6 — Also returning to team after a month’s injury absence, showed his usual superb touches in attack, but also regularly found out of position in defence.
MF Luka Modric, 5 — Unable to turn game Madrid’s way as Eibar dominated the pace and shape of the play. His season continued to drift as he was unsurprisingly the first Madrid player replaced, at 3-0 on the hour mark.
MF Dani Ceballos, 5 — Not a natural stand-in for injured Casemiro in the holding role, which was shown as he struggled when Eibar broke quickly. Was unfortunate when his clearance rebounded off Escalante for the opener, and embarrassed by an Orellana nutmeg in the second half.
MF Toni Kroos, 5 — After a bright start, Madrid’s most important midfielder was unable to get a hold of the ball in the centre of the park. A horrible cross-field pass put Odriozola in unnecessary trouble for Eibar’s second goal.
FW Marco Asensio, 6 — Not as involved as he’d like, although two excellent first half interventions set up chances for Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. Was often seen working back in his own half trying to turn flow of game.
FW Karim Benzema, 6 — Looked very dangerous on the few occasions when the ball came his way near the box, but Eibar’s high pressing game negated his usual ability to drop deep and help his team build moves.
FW Gareth Bale, 5 — Had a goal of season contender ruled out for a correct offside at 0-0, and saw a decent 20-yard free kick saved by Eibar goalkeeper Asier Riesgo. Appeared following recent fitness issues but was booked for protests amid general frustration with how the game was going.
Raphael Varane and the Real Madrid defence endured a nightmare afternoon at Eibar
Substitutes
DF Carvajal, 6 — Not the ideal game in which to return from a six-week injury absence but at least showed he should be OK to start at Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday.
MF Isco, 6 — Would have preferred his chance to show Solari he deserves more playing time to not come at 3-0 down.
FW Vinicius Jr., N/R — Game was already well over before his late arrival.
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