Eibar 0-2 Real Madrid: 5 things we learned as Gareth Bale scores first goal since August

Goals from Bale and Ronaldo secured the points in a far-from-vintage display

Gareth Bale's first goal since August, and first away from home since January, helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 win at Eibar.
But it was far from an impressive performance from Rafael Benitez's men, who only secured their victory through a dubious late penalty tucked home by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bale strung together his second good game in a row as Madrid look to banish their haunting clásico defeat, and was rewarded with a goal as he guided home Luka Modric's cross.
But what did we learn
Once again Real Madrid lined up with an XI that had a distinctly Florentino Perez look to it.
Granted, the front six was about as talented a group as you could hope to have but the nagging feeling persists that Rafa Benitez's Real Madrid have played their best (and got the best results) with some of the lesser lights in the team - the likes of Lucas Vazquez and Casemiro.

 

Under pressure: Madrid boss Rafael Benitez

The Brazilian, in particular, has been impressive this season but was left out for the second game in a row in La Liga.
His absence has coincided with the return of James Rodriguez from injury, and he is a player who, technically, is lightyears ahead of Casemiro.
But, with the exception of a rout against hopeless Espanyol, we're yet to see a Benitez side with James that has had the right balance. Which leads us to our next point...

Lack of penetration from Madrid

Luka Modric vies with Daniel Garcia as Pepe looks on

Today, rather curiously considering the notionally attacking alterations, Real Madrid struggled to break down Eibar and create good chances when they reached the final third.
With playmakers of the calibre of James, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos you'd expect that incisive ball to not be an issue but Eibar were well organised and dealt well with their threat - particularly in the first half.

Ineffective: James Rodriguez failed to impress

It took a set piece to break the deadlock, a brilliantly-whipped cross from Modric (stemming from a short corner interchange between him and James) that Bale nodded home.
Their second was a barely-deserved penalty as a star-studded lineup somehow failed to create chances.

Gareth Bale back on the scoresheet

Heads up: Gareth Bale had one of his better games

The Welshman was Real Madrid's "most dangerous" player in the first half, said Marca, and not just because of his goal.
While his heading ability can sometimes be forgotten, it got him plenty of goals in England and he guided a beautiful Modric cross just inside the near post to break the deadlock.
Away from that strike though, Marca's conclusion holds water. He was by far the most likely of Madrid's front three to create something and didn't look like a man that hadn't scored since August.
The header turned out to be his first goal away from home in 1241 minutes - that's long enough to watch Titanic six times back-to-back - since a January strike against Cordoba.
Operating in a central position (see above) there is always likely to be more chances for Bale to find the net.
But still there is a feeling that he is better with green grass ahead of him to run into, and when teams sit back there simply isn't the understanding and zip between him and Cristiano Ronaldo that the Barcelona front three enjoy (or even that you see with Benzema and Ronaldo) in tight areas to break through defences.

Ronaldo still out of sorts

Better luck next time: Asier Riesgo and Aleksandar Pantic thwart Cristiano Ronaldo

Rafael Benitez gave an interesting response in his press conference this week when asked about Gareth Bale's success on the left flank against Shakhtar.
"I didn't tell Bale to play on the left, or Cristiano through the middle, or Isco on the right; they have the freedom to change positions. Bale and Cristiano can swap sides if they wish."
Which was interesting because, among other reasons, he was shifting what was essentially praise for his decisions away from him in a time when not too much complimentary stuff has come his way.

On your bike: Cristiano Ronaldo attempts an acrobatic strike

So we can assume safely, you'd say, that Ronaldo's decision to play on the left is his own. A curious choice when he said only last month:
"Now I'm more of a penalty area player, and not so much a wide player."
He's right, if we are honest, but back out on the left in Eibar he was ineffective again as his poor season continues.

Platoon: Cristiano Ronaldo vents his frustration

Everything is relative. Eight goals so far this campaign isn't bad but last year he had 20 at the same point.
He'd failed to score in eight of twelve games in La Liga before this game.
While those stats will have been massaged slightly by his late penalty today, something is not quite right with the Portuguese.

Eibar should be alright

Home: Eibar's tiny Ipurua stadium

The smallest club to ever play in La Liga, they went into today's game sixth despite their relegation last year.
A reprieve, courtesy of Elche's financial implosion, has given them another chance and thus far they've looked more than good enough to stay in the top flight following some tidy additions to the squad.
This game didn't go their way but, if they've learnt their lesson from last season's post-Christmas collapse, they should be gearing up for a third consecutive year in La Liga.