LaLiga 2018-19, Eibar 3-0 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points

It was a historic evening in the Ipurua Municipal as Eibar defeated Spanish giants Real Madrid for the first time in their 78-year history, as the home side came out with a convincing result over the reigning European Champions.

It was Santiago Solari's first game in charge since being made the permanent head coach and his tenure got off to the worst possible start as his side were convincingly beaten by the team who had never even scored two goals in a game against Los Blancos, let alone beat them.

This means that Eibar (at least temporarily) climb up to seventh in the league table, with 18 points, whereas the Madrid side has gotten 20 after taking part in 13 league games this season. Here are the talking points from the game.

#1 Real Madrid look devoid of ideas

Real players were caught out offside on 11 occasions on the night, and everything just seems to be off for the club as they struggle for goals and victories.

Gareth Bale found the net early on through a sumptuous volley but his goal was rightly ruled out for offside, and other than that and a Benzema attempt cleared off the line, the men in white didn't threaten much.

The visitors came in off the back of four wins in as many matches, but in Solari's first game as permanent coach, his players faltered throughout the afternoon against the home team and all their mistakes were punished and capitalized on by the team.

Madrid's play was extremely wasteful, and the entire team looks disconnected and short of inspiration needed to get the results.

The past few results may have steadied the ship, but that should not put the board or the fans under any illusion about the current playing squad and what's needed.

World class players like Toni Kroos, Modric look a shadow of their former selves, and Bale, Benzema, and Asensio were never a reliable source of game-changing moments, to begin with.

A massive overhaul is needed for this club to even think about returning to the upper echelons of football again, and every passing game week should be a stark reminder of that to the club and its sleuth of followers.

#2 Cucurella is the man

Barcelona loanee Marc Cucurella looked like a man possessed against his parent club's eternal rivals on the night.

He had a hand in all three goals on the night, whilst tormenting the entire right-hand side of Real Madrid, not giving anyone a moment of respite.

He marauded down the left-hand side, given additional freedom by the presence of Jose Angel at left back to clean up at the back and keep runners in check.

He was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch tonight, and if he can maintain his level of performances, it won't be long before he's considered for a bigger role by his parent club, who will need a replacement for Jordi Alba eventually, who's nearing 30.

#3 Real's midfield looks troubled

Modric couldn't break free from his markers too often, but even when he did, his final ball lacked the quality that we associate with the diminutive Croatian.

More a continuation of the first point, but Real Madrid's midfield just lacks the inventiveness they had in previous seasons.

Even Luka Modric looked a little lost among the crowd and was outplayed by in every aspect of midfield play, which never ever happens, especially against opposition like Eibar(no disrespect).

Toni Kroos made a cross-field pass to Odriozola instead of passing to various options forward, and the defender got caught out which lead to the second goal.

This is the second time in the past few weeks that Toni Kroos' pass back to the defence has directly lead to an opposition goal, and the German has looked uncharacteristically shaky since the start of the season.

Isco again failed to get a start and was eventually brought on for the Men's Best Player of the year, but looked off the pace of the game, and everything looked to be happening around him.

Madrid never looked close to getting back into the game, and that was particularly more so the case after the enigmatic Spaniard came on.

#4 Eibar's defensive scheme

Eibar went up after the 16th minute and another crucial VAR intervention, and never seriously looked like conceding, as shots on target were kept out and parried away by Asier Riesgo, who looked assured in goal tonight.

Eibar instead of sitting deep after scoring pressed Madrid in the middle of the park looking to create more goals for their fans to scream their hearts out on, and were constantly harassing the Madrid players into making mistakes.

They never let Los Blancos get comfortable on the ball. Madrid players were never given a moment of peace by the home side, who looked hungrier for the three points, and they came out with a historic result as Eibar defeated Real Madrid for the first time ever in the history of the two clubs, and deservedly so.

#5 Dani Ceballos isn't a defensive midfielder

Ceballos looked like a fish out of water trying to play the same role as Casemiro, and it's time Solari gave the role to someone who plays that role naturally (MARCOS LLORENTE!)

Marcos Llorente was not even on the bench tonight and has had a torrid time since coming back to Madrid after his spell at Alaves in 2016.

He was easily one of the top three defensive midfielders in Spain, and I for one thought his arrival would push Casemiro out of the side eventually, given how amazing he was for the minnows before joining the Blancos.

He should be afforded more chances by the coach and club, especially now that Casemiro is injured for the next couple of weeks.

This game screamed for a calming presence for the men in white, someone who would snub attacks before they became a threat, and recycling possession.

That's exactly what Llorente excels at, and for the club's sake, he should be handed a more prominent role in the first team squad, at least while the burly Brazilian recovers from his injury.

Edited by Alan John