Real Madrid‘s hopes of retaining their La Liga crown have been distinguished for a while now, with a 15-point deficit to arch-rivals and league leaders Barcelona being proof of that.
But, given Real’s Champions League progress through to the last eight has been seamless, hopes of a third consecutive European Cup crown have helped to keep the flame burning in a season which could have all too easily been over by now.
As it is, Zinedine Zidane‘s men will be happy enough to tick along domestically and try and close the gap on second-placed Atletico Madrid, with their city neighbours holding a seven-point advantage over the Whites.
On Saturday, the Spanish giants travel to eighth-placed Eibar (4pm UAE time), with the league minnows enjoying a successful campaign to date.
Here, we assess three key talking points:
LOS BLANCOS CAN AFFORD TO REST CRISTIANO AGAIN
The club legend has actually missed two of Madrid’s last four La Liga fixtures as Zinedine Zidane remains increasingly cautious over saving the 33-year-old’s legs. Ronaldo, of course, is as fit as anyone but with fine game management Real can prolong his outstanding 2018 form and indeed his career further down the track.
Ronaldo came off with just over ten minutes to go against Getafe last time out but completed maximum minutes at the Parc des Princes. Although Eibar are going very well domestically in eighth, Real can afford to make the long trip to the northern tip of Spain without their talisman – giving him much-needed rest with Atletico to come on April 8 and both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals either side.
With fixtures against Girona and Las Palmas also slated between the Eibar and Atletico games, it makes sense to use him sparingly over the next two weeks.
He’s scored 15 goals in 11 matches this year and will want to keep on playing but Real hierarchy and the club’s sports science team seemingly have more power than ever to pull rank over this argument now.
It should also provide the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema with an opportunity to shine, given both are still under-increasing pressure to perform after stop-start 2018s.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in every Champions League match this term.
MATEO KOVACIC’S COMING OF AGE AT THE RIGHT TIME
The Croat turned in arguably his best showing yet in a Real shirt in the French capital and proved to Zidane that he made the right choice to stick with the 23-year-old, even with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric back in the reckoning after injury.
The former Inter Milan talent was an energetic beat at the heart of a more rigid 4-4-2 system, dovetailing nicely with Marco Asensio, goal-scorer Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez in a Madrid side that was certainly more youthful and pacey. Kovacic’s time at the Bernabeu has been indifferent and underwhelming since joining in 2015, but he looks to be finally coming into his own and indeed the Madridistas have never lost a Champions League match in which he has played (15 wins, two draws).
Kovacic deserves to be at the fulcrum of the midfield moving forward and Tuesday night felt like a watershed moment, with his supreme pass accuracy of 95 per cent being proof that Real have other options they can trust now and don’t just need to rely on Modric and Kroos’ experience – or even playmaker Isco, who hasn’t been at his best for a while.
The platform for him is now set for a big end to the season and it’s an exciting thought for Madrid fans that his most telling contributions are still to come.
Dynamic presence: Mateo Kovacic.
MADRID ARE UNITED BEHIND ZIDANE
The Frenchman has had to bat away criticism from all comers and all corners this term. Of course, tactically speaking and results-wise, a good chunk of it was merited due to a poor La Liga campaign.
But Zidane, away from the glare of the media spotlight, has clearly been a calming and supportive influence for his players. Today’s stars need an arm around the shoulder more so than in years gone by and the former midfield maestro has been unequivocal in his backing, which has seen Real win eight out of their past 10 matches.
It’s no surprises that Real Madrid’s social media team released behind-the-scenes dressing room celebrations after the victory over the Parisians, really going to show the unity Zidane has with his squad and personal connection – particularly with the senior members.
As he did during his playing days, he has the managerial midas touch and that shouldn’t be underestimated. You have to feel that Los Blancos are now in a good mindset to make this season more memorable than it looked like it would be at the turn of the year.
🙌 ¡Entra en el vestuario del equipo en el Parque de los Príncipes y vive en primera persona la celebración tras nuestro pase a cuartos de final! #APorLa13 | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/FlJfQvplWw
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) March 6, 2018
