Real Madrid vs. Eibar: 3 takeaways from an excellent 2-0 win

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is pulling out the old “every game is a final” card, because it’s that stage of the season again. And Los Blancos did what they needed to do on La Liga’s Matchday 29, defeating Eibar 2-0 at home in a game that could have featured a lot more goals if it weren’t for a hat-trick of offsides.

It was a fine performance from Real, as Zidane deployed the back three to great effect. No Sergio Ramos, no Raphael Varane, and no Toni Kroos in the starting XI? No problem for Los Blancos.

Let’s take a look at the three biggest takeaways from a clean sheet victory.

Marco Asensio had his best game of the season

Marco Asensio came into Matchday 29 in good form, really for the first time in all of 2020-2021. After finally getting a full game of rest against Elche, Asensio came off the bench to score in a 3-1 win over Atalanta. And then he did the exact same in another 3-1 win over Celta Vigo the following weekend.

He did not lose any momentum after the international “break”. If anything, he gained momentum, returning to the starting XI and delivering a tremendous individual performance.

Asensio hit a wonderful free kick off the crossbar and then had a goal disallowed for offsides – a backheel flick, no less. But he got his goal in the end, finishing with composure after Casemiro won the ball in midfield.

This is what Asensio is capable of. He can be a very good role player for Real Madrid. Asensio needs the right circumstances around him, but it is clear that now that his confidence is back, he can help Los Blancos win a trophy this season. He was taking shots and getting into dangerous areas at a higher rate than in previous matches.