Mendilibar: I'm clear on how we're going to set up & believe we'll do a good job
The SD Eibar boss insists that his side mustn't "focus on the opposition"
Speaking today in his pre-match press conference, SD Eibar coach José Luis Mendilibar revealed that he has a clear idea about "how we'll set up" ahead of the Armeros trip to Barcelona to face RCD Espanyol tomorrow. The Eibar boss also expressed his confidence in his players' ability, stating that, "I believe we'll do a good job".
Mendibilar has announced his squad for the game, which is as follows: Riesgo, Yoel (goalkeepers), Capa, Arbilla, Ramis, Lejeune, Gálvez, Luna, Dani García, Escalante, Fran Rico, Rivera, Adrián, Inui, Rubén Peña, Pedro León, Kike García and Sergi Enrich.
"We mustn't go out and be focused on the opposition. It's not something we've ever done before and we won't be doing it tomorrow. Otherwise, they'll end up dictating the game and that's not what I want. Just like with the Osasuna game, we know that we can't take anything for granted".
Reflecting on the defeat against Osasuna, Mendilibar stressed that the Navarran outfit claimed victory, "because of what they did well and the things we failed to do. The best team won and that was Osasuna, they were the side who did a better job of playing their game, we didn't manage to do that. Against Espaynol, we must go out and play as we want to. Of course, we could still end up losing but it's much better to play how you want and lose. You come away from the game feeling better than when you lose because you tried to adapt and do things differently on account of the opposition".
"It's important for us to be aware of the players that Espanyol have and what they're capable of. They've put together a side with a view to being quite a bit higher up in the table. We mustn't allow them to restrict us. Against Osasuna we were more bothered about them than they were about us, and that was the difference between the teams. That's not normally the case, we respect our opponents, but we aren't worried about what they're going or not going to do".
"The onus is on them because, on paper, they've got a side that's capable of competing higher up in the league and there was even talk of them fighting for a European place. That said, we're only nine matchdays into the season and winning or losing a game can see you move four or five places. I don't think that the position they're in is all that relevant, the important thing is to feel comfortable with how you're playing. If you feel good in yourself, the results will take care of themselves".