Eibar vs Real Madrid - Rafael Benitez expects right response from Real Madrid at Eibar

Posted Saturday, November 28, 2015 by PA

Real Madrid know they cannot afford any slip-ups at Eibar on Sunday, when Rafael Benitez's squad will look to banish memories of their 4-0 humiliation at the hands of La Liga leaders Barcelona last weekend.

Benitez got the required response from his squad as they secured top spot in Champions League Group A with a 4-3 win away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night.

However, the final scoreline was far from comfortable, the Spaniards having been coasting at 4-0 heading into the final 15 minutes following a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo.

For now, Benitez continues to have the full support of club president Florentino Perez, despite some Real Madrid fans calling for his dismissal in the wake of last weekend's Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"Reacting the way the team did after the game against Barcelona and going 4-0 up in the Champions League is really positive," the Spaniard said after the Shakhtar victory.

"We needed to show our character and those who played did just that, they knew what they had to do.

"The main thing for me is that the team did well for a long period and it's a first step in producing a reaction."

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was one of those brought into the side by Benitez for the midweek European tie.

The 23-year-old believes the focus must now be on the future and that the team should not dwell on the failings in their last domestic fixture.

"The defeat to Barcelona is in the past, we need to look forward. Now we have a tough game away from home," Casemiro told Marca.

"I am here for what Benitez tells me to do, he is a great coach. We are with him, with the president and the fans. Staying together, I am sure we will win."

Madrid head into the next round of La Liga matches third in the table, but six points off the leaders, and just three ahead of both Celta Vigo and Villarreal.

Midfielder Isco is banned for Sunday's game after his red card for kicking out at Barcelona forward Neymar.

Defender Raphael Varane is a doubt with a hamstring problem suffered during the Champions League tie.

Left-back Marcelo missed the match in Ukraine because of a thigh problem, while Sergio Ramos continues his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury.

Eibar are in sixth place, and have no intention of rolling out the red carpet at the 6,000-capacity municipal stadium in Ipurua.

Midfielder Adrian Gonzalez sees no reason why Jose Luis Mendilibar's men should not put up another positive display against Real.

"It is difficult for any team to play at Ipurua. We are playing really well and have the confidence that we can get something positive from the game," Gonzalez told the club's official website, www.sdeibar.com.

"Perhaps this is the best time to play against Madrid because things are not going so well. "