Real Madrid returned to action with a win in LaLiga on Sunday and stay within two points of rivals Barcelona with ten games left to play.
Barca had temporarily moved five points clear after thrashing Mallorca 4-0 on Saturday, but Los Blancos responded in their first fixture since March 8 after the lengthy break due to coronavirus.
Zinedine Zidane's side beat Eibar 3-1 in a comfortable victory which featured first-half strikes from Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo, before Pedro Bigas pulled one back in the second half.
"This is different to what we are used to," Zidane said. "We have to adapt. We did well in the first half. The second half was harder. We have 10 games left."
Toni Kroos' best scoring season
There were just over three minutes on the clock when Toni Kroos produced one of his special strikes, a sweet shot with his right foot which was arched into the top corner at an angle with pinpoint precision.
It was the first goal for Real Madrid's senior side at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano and the sixth of the season in all competitions for the German midfielder, which saw him surpass his previous mark in Spain of five in 2017-18.
Kroos has enjoyed a fine season after question marks about his contribution last term and with his technique, he should probably score more goals than he does.
Zidane is clearly encouraging the 30-year-old to shoot more and If he can chip in with a few more over the next few weeks, the Frenchman will be delighted.
Hazard shows what Madrid have been missing
One of the positives from the lengthy break in action for Real Madrid has been the return of Eden Hazard, who would have missed the rest of the season if the campaign had continued as normal.
The Belgian underwent ankle surgery in late February, but started this match and impressed on what was only his 16th appearance for Los Blancos, playing his part in two of Madrid's goals before going off with a knock after an hour.
"We knew he would lack some rhythm," Zidane said. "He took a fair knock, a scare, but that's football. He is happy with how he did and so are we."
This was a glimpse of what Real have been missing for most of the season and keeping Hazard fit will be key to the team's title hopes.
Benzema refreshed and much more than just goals
Prior to the interruption due to Covid-19, Real Madrid were far too reliant upon Karim Benzema and by March, the French forward was already looking tired. The break, quite clearly, has done him good.
Benzema did not score on Sunday, but the 32-year-old dropped deep in a creative role and was involved in all three of Madrid's goals against Eibar.
Physically, he also slimmer and more sleek than usual. "I don't know what his diet is, but Karim takes great care of himself," Zidane said. "He's in great shape. He's happy to be back."
The coach also praised the forward's understanding with Hazard, which created the second goal for Ramos. "It's wonderful to see them communicate like that," he said.
Settling into a new home
Real Madrid were not only adapting to a new normal as games take place behind closed doors and in the month of June, but also to different surroundings.
With renovations taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu, this was Los Blancos' first fixture at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano and even though the ground is located at their training base, playing an official match there was still a new experience.
It went well. Zidane's side seemed comfortable from the outset and will no doubt have been helped by the early strike from Kroos, before goals from Ramos and Marcelo virtually wrapped it up by the break.
"The Di Stefano is our stadium too," Zidane said on Saturday. And starting with a win was ideal ahead of Valencia's visit in a tougher test for Los Blancos on Thursday.
Fitness concerns in the second half
While it was a positive performance and result for Real Madrid overall, Los Blancos did dip dramatically in the second half and several players were forced off, raising fitness concerns ahead of a busy period of games.
Dani Carvajal was substituted at the break after twisting his ankle and his condition will be of special interest, given that he is currently the only right-back at the club and has no real back-up with Nacho out injured.
Ramos and Hazard also went off with knocks and Madrid struggled to cope with Eibar's intensity after the break, although that may also have been due to relaxation after they had taken a 3-0 lead in the first half.
"Maybe we relaxed in the second half," Zidane said. "I don't think it's a physical thing. They are well prepared." Time will tell.
