Mendilibar: Leganés are a really competitive side, it'll be a tough game
Sunday sees Los Pepineros and Armeros lock horn for the first time in Primera
Speaking today in his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend's encounter against Leganés, SD Eibar coach José Luis Mendilibar insisted that Sunday's opponents are "a really competitive side" and that he expects his charges to face "a tough game".
After having met on numerous occasions lower down the pyramid over the years, the two sides will run out against each other on Sunday at Butarque for the first time in the top flight.
Mendilibar stressed that in spite of the visitors having to contend with several absentees, "they work very well as a side and they put in a really good performance against Las Palmas".
"Looking in from the outside, it would appear as if their squad is a bit light, they made no marquee signings and have no big names. They kept the same coach from last year, they work really well together as a team and know what they're doing at all times, and I think that they're a difficult side to play against".
Despite highlighting what a tough prospect awaits on Sunday, Mendilibar is confident his side are capable of picking up a positive result at Butarque. "Every time there's a break in the league action it's vital to go into it having got something from the last game. It'll be important for us to get a win, which will put us on to 25 points, we'll then go away and have a good Christmas and come back quite relaxed".
When quizzed about Asier Garitano, the Eibar boss noted that, "We haven't spoken much, but we get on well". "We see the game in a similar way. He's a coach that knows what he wants and what his squad can give him and he adapts accordingly. He hasn't gone off crying despite the injuries they've suffered to key players and he's been able to respond quickly, by bringing in Herrerín. I think that he's a really fine coach and is a good guy".
In reference to what shape his side are in ahead of Sunday's clash, he revealed that, apart from Iván Ramis, Asier Riesgo and Fran Rico - who all miss out through injury -, the rest of his players are fit. "I think that Fran and Asier are in line to return after Christmas. Iván's injury will keep him out for a bit longer. The rest of the squad are fine and are all available. The good thing, so to speak, about these injuries is that they'll be out over Christmas and that gives them more time to recover".