Mendilibar: "Everything about Alavés worries me, but we'll be going out to compete and finish as high up as we can"
The Armeros' boss is expecting an attractive encounter against "strong opposition"
José Luis Mendilibar addressed the media in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's clash against Alavés at Ipurua (kick-off 12:00). The Armeros' boss stated that he believes that it'll be an attractive contest and one which presents his side with an ideal opportunity to compete and return to winning ways, highlighting the importance of continuing to put points on the board "to finish as high up the league as possible".
"I think that the Alavés game is an attractive one. At times it's as if once you've achieved your target, nothing else matters. If the points up for stake don't serve to keep you up or win something, it's as if they're useless. We have to try and finish as high up as possible. We have to look to compete in every game. That's the plan. We host a strong Alavés side, who are playing well, and we have to go all out for the win", he declared.
Mendilibar doesn't believe that there'll be a repeat of the result in the reverse fixture, in which Eibar claimed a 2-1 away win over Los Babazorros. "When we played them there, they weren't in a good place, they were all a bit down, but they soon got their heads up and with seven games to go they've secured their league status. We, on the other hand, have to win the game".
"We're a different prospect at home and on the road. Although we haven't been winning at home, the team presses well and puts the opposition under pressure, which we're not doing away from home. Despite not winning at home, we've been performing well. Against La Real, for example, we put in a good first-half performance. Our game plan remains the same. I hope that we produce that sort of performance again on Sunday", Mendilibar insisted.
On this matchday's opponents, the Armeros' chief was very clear cut. "Everything about Alavés worries me. In terms of their line-up, they're changing things around quite a bit, playing different players in the wide areas and going with two up top, who are both a threat. Despite playing more offensively, they're still solid in defence. They're a side that compete well, play with joy, get down the wings and send balls into the box, just as we do. That's another reason why it could well prove to be an attractive encounter. They don't have the duty to get the points either, as they have up until now, and that could see them start to climb the table", he commented.