Mendilibar: We hope to be able to go all the way with them
The Armeros' boss has announced his 18-man squad
SD Eibar tomorrow play host to Atlético Madrid at Ipurua and the Armeros' coach, José Luis Mendilibar, today addressed the media to preview the encounter.
"We'll have to compete right from the first whistle and be really focused. If you give them anything they'll take full advantage and it's very rare for them to gift the opposition anything. We know that it'll be a game that's decided right at the end and that it could be won in the 93rd minute. It won't be won in the first minute, but by the fifth minute it might be out of sight. We'll need to compete right throughout the whole game", Mendilibar declared.
Eibar come into the match on a run which has seen them take 19 points from an available 21, with the Armeros' chief admitting that "we're enjoying a good run, but so too are they. We hope to be able to compete and go all the way with them, whilst being aware that they're a very good side. For them, playing well is all about competing. It's not about putting together 40 passes. They know how to bide their time, they don't panic. We'll have to see whether we too can do the same.
Mendilibar revealed that he's not intending on making any tactical changes for the game. "We won't be changing our playing style, just like they remain faithful to their style. If you want to change your game every week depending on the opposition and to match them, a week doesn't give you enough time to do so. I prefer for us to stick to our game", he insisted.
The squad list is as follows: Riesgo, Dmitrovic, Capa, Ramis, Lombán, Oliveira, Cote, Dani García, Escalante, Joan Jordán, Pape Diop, Inui, Rubén Peña, Iván Alejo, Orellana, Sergi Enrich, Kike García and Charles.