Eibar vs Real Madrid preview - Vault: We're not fearful of Real - 7M sport

Eibar vs Real Madrid preview - Vault: We're not fearful of Real



Posted Saturday, November 22, 2014 by PA

Eibar defender Eneko Vault has promised a tough welcome for the Galacticos of Real Madrid when the European champions visit the Basque minnows for the first time in the Primera Division.

Carlo Ancelotti's side travel to Ipurua on Saturday for what, on paper, seems a true David-versus-Goliath contest.

Real, who have won 10 European titles, are up against a side who, after back-to-back promotions, are playing in the top flight for the first time.

They boast formidable form, having risen to the top of La Liga on the back of a run of eight successive wins in which they have scored 37 goals.

It seems a daunting task, but Eibar have so far proved no pushovers and sit in a respectable mid-table position with 12 points from 11 games.

Vault, quoted on www.LigaBBVA.com, said: "We will do what we think is right time to win the game - we do not play to look good in front of anyone or be nice.

"We do not think about playing a nice game, or for the viewers to have fun with us - we are thinking about winning.

"It's the first time we've played against Real Madrid, who have many of the best players in the world, making it one of the most difficult games. But in football there is no rival to fear."

Real have visited Ipurua just once previously, in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey in 2004. That match ended in a 1-1 draw but Real won the two-legged tie after a 2-0 success at the Bernabeu.

This weekend's clash will be Ancelotti's 50th in La Liga since taking charge of the club. The Italian has won 36 of his previous 49 games, with six wins and seven defeats.

"We must play quickly and aggressively in Ipurua because we want to get off to a strong start after the international break," the Italian told www.realmadrid.com.

"We have a lot of respect for Eibar and it is a difficult place to go to, but we are eager to do the best we can."

Real will be without Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, who could be out for up to three months with a thigh injury. Isco and Sami Khedira, recently linked with Bayern Munich, are in contention to replace him.

Ancelotti said: "I still haven't decided. I have two options - the obvious one, which is using Khedira, and the other, which is trying out Isco.

"Khedira played two games with his national team, so I'm going to see if he's ready to play. If he isn't ready, I'll go with Isco."

On the subject of Germany international Khedira's future, Ancelotti said: "He is fine. He is confident and wants to stay here. He is not thinking about leaving."



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