SD Eibar 1-2 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points

Cristiano Ronaldo saved Real Madrid's bacon yet again as he struck twice to sink Eibar in a hard-fought 2-1 win at the Ipurua.

Los Blancos found the going tough once again as the hosts portended with a bright start to the match.

However, one moment of concentration lapse at the back allowed Ronaldo to sprint into the gap and skillfully lash the ball into the bottom corner.

Ivan Ramis headed home the equaliser from a corner just five minutes into the second period, as another disappointing draw for the European champions beckoned.

But the Portuguese ace once again took the matters upon himself and showcased his pure poker instincts by heading Carvajal's cross into the back of the net from close range.

Another nervy outing for Zinedine Zidane's side, but wouldn't mind as long as they get the job done like they did today. Here are the major talking points.

#1 Ronaldo fast catching up in the Pichichi race

Ronaldo's indomitable run in 2018 continues

As we turned over a new chapter of life at the start of 2018, so did Ronaldo as he brushed aside all the anomalies of the first-half of the season to conjure his best again and ripple the net at terrifying frequency.

The Portuguese star struck twice on the night to extend his scoring spree to seven games in a row now, amassing 13 strikes in the process.

The Real Madrid No.7 has no doubt upped the ante this calendar year, and rose to the occasion once again as his team huffed and puffed.

Lacking the usual verve going forward, Ronaldo showed how its done when he expertly bombed into the box like a gazelle in a savannah and evaded his marker for a nonchalant finish from the outside of his boot.

The second though, had Ronaldo's trademark of intelligent positioning written all over it, as Carvajal let loose one inside the box that an on-rushing former, completely unmarked, leapt to direct it inside the post with another perfect header from the man.

Whilst the Merengues continue to blow hot and cold with another lackadaisical show, Ronaldo's stock continues to go through the roof.

He's now scored 17 goals since the turn of the year in 13 appearances, adding to the 16 he managed in the previous 21, while his twin strikes today takes him up to 18 goals in La Liga, just six behind the leading scorer Lionel Messi and three behind Luis Suarez, as Ronaldo look set to take the race for the coveted trophy, down to the wire.

#2 Eibar put up a valiant fight

Since the end of October, Eibar had raised their game to a point where only Atletico Madrid and Barcelona were the two sides to pick up all three points at the Ipurua.

So Real Madrid faintly knew what they were in for here, even if they were heavily favoured to win. And the Armeros took no time to reaffirm the same when they started the match confidently to force Madrid on the backfoot.

It was as early as the first minute wherein Keylor Navas was called into action when Pedro Leon's cross to Kiko Garcia alerted the Costa Rican into making a clearance, and Eibar's intent was clear.

The hosts troubled their mighty guests by harrying the wing-backs with sumptuous deliveries that produced many a nervy moment inside the box, and deservedly found the leveler when Leon threaded a perfectly weighted cross for Ramis to head home the corner.

Eibar's high-pressing coupled with some robustness at the back had Madrid's numbers for large spells of the match, but were undone by an individual brilliance from Ronaldo.

Yet, that shouldn't take away the credit for a valiant effort from Jose Mendilibar's side, who almost grabbed a point here.

#3 Is it time's up for Bale and Benzema?

Gareth Bale once again cut a frustrating figure

While you have Ronaldo firing at all cylinders again, his 'BBC' counterparts Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale have been running on fumes.

The Frenchman's abject run in front of goal - just four goals in 22 La Liga games - exhausted Zidane's patience who opted to bench him today while deploying a 4-4-2 line-up with Bale and Ronaldo leading the line.

But even if the gaffer tried to find a formula to make the famed attacking troika click again, the Welshman's poor run too this season has been another cause of worry for the team.

Plagued by the recurring knee injuries, Bale has seen his time at Real Madrid curtailed tremendously on account of the same.

And even if this season has been better on that count, he hasn't been able to translate that in front of goal while his attacking contributions of any sort for that matter, have dramatically deteriorated.

Despite operating from his favoured position in the far-wide which was a successful bailiwick during his time with the Spurs, Bale's struggles see no light of the day.

And it wouldn't be an exaggeration to suggest his time at Madrid is indeed approaching its end. Just like that of Benzema.

The all-European triumvirate once destroyed every team on its way, tearing defenses asunder with their feary partnership.

But those days are long gone, as Ronaldo is left to do most of the heavy-lifting again. His resurgence to form has once again thrown Bale and Benzema in the shadows, and maybe its time Los Blancos to cut their losses a bit and make new attacking reinforcements who'll complement the Portuguese in his endeavour.

#4 Pedro Leon is the key to Eibar's European dream

Pedro Leon has been very influential for Eibar since arriving back to the scene — Pedro Leon has been very influential for Eibar since arriving back into the scene

The former Real Madrid man was once again at the heart of the things for the Basque Country outfit.

He assisted Ramis with a wonderful delivery into the box, and his fine form holds the key to fuelling Eibar's hopes of ambushing into the Europa League next season, from now till the end of the season.

Leon was an important presence down the right wing, laying off crosses and also creating chances (four for today) for his team-mates as Eibar were momentarily threatening.

Most of the attacking pelt from the home side stemmed from the Spaniard, who proved difficult to deal with for the mighty visitors with his intelligent runs and incisive passes.

The 31-year old spent seven months on the sidelines with a horrific knee injury he succumbed during the pre-season, missing 25 games in the process.

But upon his arrival, has already as many as nine chances in four appearances - one of which was from the bench - the most from any Eibar player and also got himself an assist today, his sixth against his former employers.

Leon has hit the ground running despite the long layoff, and his rich vein of form will be crucial to help the Azulgranas in achieving a first-ever European qualification.

#5 Real Madrid are a work in progress when it comes to La Liga

Real Madrid are still some way off the mark

For all the promise they've shown in the recent weeks, the Champions League victory over PSG included, Real Madrid remain, after all, a work in progress.

Walking away with a win despite an underwhelming show is a facet of champions that they displayed, but the situations are so grim this season that it does little to inspire confidence.

Los Blancos, like they've been on so many occasions this season, were held on the back foot time and again by a "minnow" in Eibar, although this shouldn't be surprising given their admirable run since the last three months.

But the visitors were also guilty of gifting too much liberty for Eibar to architect chances, parting like the red sea which could've cost them otherwise in big games.

Manager Zinedine Zidane did tweak his side a little and there were positives here as well, but Meregues remain a pale shadow of their relentless selves of last season. The defence once again looked shaky while the attack left a lot to be desired.