Real Madrid: 5 key players to watch against Eibar

RB Dani Carvajal

Kike Garcia is Eibar’s most consistent goal-scoring threat, but the young Bryan Gil, on loan from Sevilla, is their best player. Gil resides on the left wing and was a threat to Real Madrid this summer for Leganes, making life difficult for Lucas Vazquez at right back.

Dani Carvajal shouldn’t have too many problems with Gil, especially with Vazquez likely starting in front of him as the right winger, but he will need to be at his best when Gil leads counters.

He could very well be the X-Factor for Real Madrid on Matchday 14, including as an attacker. Carvajal is Real’s best crosser, and that will come in handy against Eibar, who will sit back and force Real to cross. They are great at defending crosses, too, so precision will be key.

DM Casemiro

Casemiro’s defensive cover will come in handy, and he’ll also need to avoid making any mistakes with the ball at his feet. Since the Gladbach match, we have seen the best of Casemiro lately, as he has looked more like the defensive midfielder who can lay claim to being one of the world’s best at the position and not the man who was strugglingly mightily to start the 2020-2021 campaign.

According to WhoScored.com, Casemiro is averaging 2.4 tackles per game and 1.6 interceptions per game, making him Real Madrid’s most effective defensive player in terms of making interventions on the ball. He’ll be key to stopping any counter attempts from Eibar and will be a solidifying presence in midfield. And Case may also need to come up big on a set piece, just as he did vs. Atletico Madrid.