Real Madrid-Éibar: LaLiga is back

Zidane’s men return to competitive action at the Alfredo Di Stéfano, which is set to host a first-team game for the first time (7:30pm CET).Almost 100 days have passed since Real Madrid played their last competitive game. It’s been a long wait, but the team is finally set to return to LaLiga action today following the coronavirus-induced interruption, when they take on Éibar this evening in the first of 11 remaining games in the title race (7:30pm CET).

This evening’s clash will take place at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, which will be hosting a competitive first-team game for the first time in its history, as work continues on renovating the Santiago Bernabéu. That’s not the only thing that will be new in today’s game, set to be played behind closed doors as a safety measure in the battle against the pandemic. Each team will have a squad of up to 23 players available, while they can make 5 substitutions in three different stoppages to the game (half-time doesn’t count).

ZIDANE IS SET TO TAKE CHARGE OF HIS 200TH GAME AS REAL MADRID COACH.

Real Madrid’s return to LaLiga, where they are unbeaten at home to date (9 wins and 4 draws), will also mark Zidane’s 200th game as first-team coach. The Frenchman, who has won 10 titles from the dugout, is already third on the all-time list of games managed for the club. “We’ve done some really good fitness work and are ready to start LaLiga once more”, he said in his online pre-match press conference. The coach has called up a 23-man squad
for the return to action. 

The opposition
Éibar come into the game embroiled in a relegation battle, with only a two-point advantage over the 18th-placed side. The Basque team were involved in the final LaLiga game before the break, when they played Real Sociedad. That match was also played behind closed doors, meaning they have already got to know the feeling of football without fans this season. Escalante will miss the game through suspension.