Mendilibar: I think that it'll be an even game
The Armeros' boss noted that the encounter presents Eibar with the chance to cut the gap on Villarreal
Speaking today in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's clash against Villarreal, SD Eibar coach José Luis Mendilibar expressed his belief that it'll be "an even game".
Mendilibar will have to do without the injured Fran Rico and Nano Mesa for the trip, whilst Mauro Dos Santos and Rubén Peña miss out on a place in the squad list.
The squad is as follows: Yoel, Riesgo; Capa, Arbilla, Luna, Juncà, Ramis, Lejeune, Gálvez, Escalante, Dani García, Rivera, Inui, Pedro León, Bebé, Adrián, Kike García and Enrich.
"If we win the game we'll be well placed, we'd cut the gap on them as we bid to remain up there, without looking at the Europa League places or anything else. I keep saying that our target is to finish amongst the top 10".
In reference to Villarreal, Mendilibar declared that, "They're a side that are solid defensively". "They concede few goals and up top they've got some very good, quick players. They're a really fine side, who have their own playing style. If they're given chances, they make the most of them. We can't afford to sit back. We'll play our game".
When quizzed about his side's latest matches, which have yielded three draws and a defeat, he insisted that, "I'm not worried at not having won in four". "I'm more bothered about whether we play well and that we're in good shape when we take to the field. I was very pleased with our last game (against Espanyol at Ipurua), but not with our previous two outings. We didn't manage to beat Espanyol, but we did a lot of good things to have been able to win the game. We'll be going all out to beat Villarreal but we'll be focusing on ourselves and on playing as we usually do".
In reference to the absence of Takashi Inui next week, with the midfielder attending a reception and meal with the Japanese Prime Minister in Toyko, Mendilibar underlined that, "There'll be someone else looking to come in and grab their chance and if they take it, it'll be Inui who will end up suffering. We trust in everyone and I don't think that we'll end up missing anyone".