Cristiano Ronaldo sets the pace in training as Real Madrid fine-tune preparations for Eibar clash

  • Cristiano Ronaldo was among the Real Madrid superstars training on Saturday
  • Zinedine Zidane's side have an extra day to prepare for Sunday's game vs Eibar
  • Madrid are desperate for a win, with Barcelona and Valencia both ahead of them
  • Highly-rated Under 19s goalkeeper Moha joined in with the first-team session 

Cristiano Ronaldo was among the Real Madrid superstars out on the Valdebebas training ground on Saturday as they prepared for this weekend's big La Liga clash.

While many of their Spanish rivals are readying themselves for a Saturday game, Zinedine Zidane's side have an extra day to fine-tune their tactics.

Madrid play Eibar on Sunday evening, and given Barcelona and Valencia's fixtures are on Saturday, the Bernabeu side will know exactly what they need to do.

Cristiano Ronaldo tries a trick in training as he is closed down by centre back Sergio Ramos

Cristiano Ronaldo tries a trick in training as he is closed down by centre back Sergio Ramos

Ronaldo and Co seemed in high spirits as the Real players fine-tuned their Eibar preparations

Ronaldo and Co seemed in high spirits as the Real players fine-tuned their Eibar preparations

Zinedine Zidane shakes hands with his star man Ronaldo out on the Valdebebas training field

Zinedine Zidane shakes hands with his star man Ronaldo out on the Valdebebas training field

Nacho (centre) holds the ball up under pressure from talented youngster Marco Asensio (left)

Nacho (centre) holds the ball up under pressure from talented youngster Marco Asensio (left)

Zidane's men are currently five points off the pace at the top, but it could be eight come kick-off if Barcelona defeat Malaga at the Nou Camp.


Nevertheless, Real's star players were out on the training pitches on Saturday morning, under the watchful eye of their manager.

Under 19s goalkeeper Moha joined in with the first-team session, in which the players split into two groups to perform rondo-style drills. 

Zidane faced the media after the training session to answer questions ahead of the game

Zidane faced the media after the training session to answer questions ahead of the game

Kiko Casilla will start in goal for Real Madrid against Eibar given the absence of Keylor Navas

Kiko Casilla will start in goal for Real Madrid against Eibar given the absence of Keylor Navas

Zidane watches his players train just a day before their big La Liga match at the Bernabeu

Zidane watches his players train just a day before their big La Liga match at the Bernabeu

Ronaldo takes the ball away from Ramos as the players take part in various drills on Saturday

Ronaldo takes the ball away from Ramos as the players take part in various drills on Saturday

The goalkeeper has been described by some as 'the next Gianluigi Donnarumma', and is certainly one to watch out for in the coming years. 

Most of the club's main stars were out on the field, but there was no Gareth Bale, Keylor Navas, Dani Carvajal or Mateo Kovacic as they continued their recovery from injury.  

Following the session at Valdebebas, Zidane fielded questions from the press ahead of Sunday night's game against Eibar.

The club's opponents are currently 16th in the table, hovering above the relegation zone, and Madrid will be confident of securing a result.

They go into the tie off the back of a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in the Champions League. 

Toni Kroos lines up a shot at goal; he has featured in six of Real's eight league games so far

Toni Kroos lines up a shot at goal; he has featured in six of Real's eight league games so far

Ramos fires a volley goalwards ahead of Real Madrid's chance to get back to winning ways

Ramos fires a volley goalwards ahead of Real Madrid's chance to get back to winning ways

Defender Marcelo looks intently at the ball as he and his team-mates try and keep it in the air

Defender Marcelo looks intently at the ball as he and his team-mates try and keep it in the air

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