Mendilibar: San Mamés clash will be a competitive, hard-fought and open encounter

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow night's showdown against Athletic Club at San Mamés, SD Eibar boss José Luis Mendilibar insisted that the game will be "competitive and really hard fought, and given the type of football that both teams play, it'll be an open affair".

The Armeros boss has included all 20 available players in his squad list for tomorrow's derby clash: Dmitrović, Riesgo, Yoel, Capa, Arbilla, Ramis, Lombán, Cote, Juncá, Dani García, Escalante, Jordán, Pape Diop, Rubén Peña, Inui, Bebé, Orellana, Alejo, Kike García and Charles.

"Despite not having won either of our last two games, we're doing OK. It's been some time since they last lost a match. I think that both teams will have chances on goal. Athletic are a team that even when they're not playing well, they go through spells in games when they don't let you out of your own box and they usually create chances. It's always better to go ahead in games, but I don't think that that's what'll determine whether we win or lose the match".

"Athletic are always strong at San Mamés and it's not easy to come away from there with anything. San Mamés is a fortress for them. Even when they're not playing well, they always have a chance of winning. Given that it's been such a long time since we've won there, sooner or later we'll have to get that win. Let's hope that it comes tomorrow".

With regards to the prospect of bringing in any further new additions in the winter transfer window, Mendilibar stated that "the injuries to Sergi (Enrich) and Paulo (Oliveira) will keep them out for four weeks and Pedro León is now working with the sports rehabilitator out on the grass and will soon be able to do certain things with the group, so I don't think that anybody will be coming in now for a six-month period". "It's a different matter if the club takes the opportunity to make a long-term signing, bringing someone in on a two-year deal".