Mendilibar: Athletic & ourselves are pretty similar sides
The Eibar boss has 18 available players for the Basque derby encounter
Speaking today in his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday's clash against Athletic Club, José Luis Mendilibar insisted that, "We're pretty similar sides", noting that, "we both press high up, try to play in the opponent's half, operate with a high backline, look to get down the flanks and get bodies in the box and have players ready to pick up any second balls on the edge of the area. Whichever side manages to do all of that will be well on the way to winning the game".
The Armeros' coach has 18 available players for Monday's Basque derby, including Iván Ramis, Antonio Luna and Rubén Peña, who are all expected to have recovered from their injuries.
When quizzed about this being a meeting between two sides that could well feature in next season's Europa League, Mendilibar declared that, "Qualifying for Europe is a target for them, but it's not for us. If we win, we'll go level on points with them and getting into Europe would represent a reward for the season we've had".
The Eibar boss sought to play down the importance of last Sunday's away defeat at Real Betis. "We came into it on the back of three straight wins, we go and lose one game and it's as if it's a disaster". The Zaldibar-born coach stated that, "The team has been training and competing strongly and throughout the season we've shown that we've got a very strong squad, because even with a long list of injuries, we've been able to compete in each game and we're up there".
Mendilibar went on to stress that against Athletic his side must, "show we can compete". "We'll have to try and make as few mistakes as possible and capitalise on any possible slip-ups from them. Within the opening 10 minutes we'll see how both of the sides are going to set up".
The Armeros' boss had words of praise for his opposite number, Ernesto Valverde, "He's the best coach Athletic could possibly have and he's proved that in both of his spells at the club. What tends to happen is that over time people get tired of you and there's more talk about the mistakes and errors than the things you get right".
Should Dani García feature against the Bilbao outfit it would be his 100th Primera Division appearance. Mendilibar congratulated the club captain on this milestone and expressed his desire, "that in three years' time we can sit here and be saying that he's made 200 Primera Division appearances".