Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo in action during Wednesday's Champions League Group A match against Shakhtar Donetsk in Lviv. The Spanish giants were cruising 4-0 till the 75th minute before conceding three late goals to win 4-3 and top group. (AFP)
DPA/Madrid
Real Madrid returned to winning ways Wednesday with a colourful 4-3 romp at Shakhtar Donetsk, but the pressure will be right back on them on Sunday at modest Eibar.
The Whites are in the knock-out stage of the Champions League for the 19th consecutive year but their situation in the Spanish Liga is precarious, to say the least.
They are already six points behind runaway leaders Barcelona—who caned them 4-0 in last week’s Clasico—and two below neighbours Atletico.
“We were not wonderful tonight and we did relax and let them back into the game towards the end,” Real midfielder Luka Modric said after the Shakhtar victory. “But the important thing is that we have won again, after two defeats (against Sevilla and Barca). This should give us a lot of confidence.”
Confidence in attack certainly, though not in defence. Los Merengues have conceded 10 goals in three games, and their late collapse in Ukraine was largely due to Raphael Varane limping off injured.
This was Real’s 15th muscle injury this season, to the despair of embattled coach Rafa Benitez.
Benitez—who was given the infamous “vote of confidence” Monday by president Florentino Perez—will have to cobble together a makeshift defence without Varane, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo.
Meanwhile, Eibar are on cloud nine after their surprisingly good start to the season. They finished third from bottom last term but avoided relegation due to Elche being sent down for having massive tax arrears.
“This season has been like a dream for us,” Eibar’s promising striker Sergi Enrich said.
“We just can’t wait to take on Real Madrid, it is a game in which we have nothing to lose really ... We will just try to enjoy ourselves and give the fans enjoyment too.”
Eibar will be without suspended young midfielder Keko.
By the time they reach tiny Eibar—which is the smallest town ever to boast a Spanish first division side—Real will probably be nine points behind Barca, who host inconsistent Real Sociedad Saturday.
Barca are in a state of euphoria after winning their last matches in La Liga and Champions League by a flood of goals.
“The best is yet to come, I hope,” coach Luis Enrique said after Tuesday’s 6-1 slaughter of hapless Roma, in which Lionel Messi reappeared with a brace after two months out injured.
“I still think we have space to improve, there a few small things which we need to do better with.”
The Camp Nou will be packed to the rafters tomorrow in expectation of another memorable exhibition from Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez—far and way the most effective and flamboyant forward line in world football right now.
Luis Enrique will have to get by without injury victims Sergi
Roberto, Rafinha and Douglas, though Javier Mascherano might be fit to return.
The evening will also see second-placed Atletico at home to Espanyol.
Leading the Atletico attack will be the in-form Antoine Griezmann, who scored both goals in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat of Galatasaray.
Meanwhile, Sunday will bring together two teams in crisis: Sevilla and Valencia, with Valencia boss Nuno Espirito against the ropes after some poor results and performances.
The weekend’s other matches are Levante v Real Betis, Celta Vigo v Sporting Gijon, Malaga v Granada, Las Palmas v Deportivo La Coruna, Getafe v Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano v Athletic Bilbao.
