Mendilibar: We are on a roll and we could win the tie
Tomorrow in Gran Canaria SD Eibar will try to turn around the 2-3 defeat in the first leg
José Luis Mendilibar, SD Eibar coach, said today that his team “is on a roll” and “can win the tie” in the round of sixteen of the Copa del Rey against UD Las Palmas despite the 2-3 defeat in the first leg at Ipurua.
“The first leg result was bad but everything else is positive: three consecutive victories, the comeback against Ponferradina, the 0-2 result of the league match in Las Palmas. Everything now is positive apart from the result of the first leg. We’re going there hoping to win the tie,” he said.
Absent from Mendilibar’s squad are the injured Jaime, Arruabarrena, Lillo and Escalante (who is also suspended), Hajrovic (suspended), Ramis and Dani García. The remaining components of the first team are in the squad, along with midfielder Iñigo Barrenetxea and forward Thaylor Lubanzadio (both from the reserve team CD Vitoria).
“We will change the team for tomorrow’s game, and only 2 or 3 of those who played on Sunday will play,” said Mendilibar.
About tomorrow’s opponent, the coach from Zaldibar said that “it’s a completely different team after the change of manager.” “Not much of what they do will change following Quique Setién’s arrival. They believe in possession and they will want us to run after them.”
Asked about the renewal of Gonzalo Escalante’s contract up to 2020, announced yesterday, Mendilibar said “the Club is thinking ahead with the renewing of contracts for players who are giving a lot, taking advantage of the season and not waiting until the last minute, to avoid having to make 12 signings in the summer.”