Mendilibar: We'll need to put in a calm and measured performance

Speaking today in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's Santiago Bernabéu showdown against Real Madrid, José Luis Mendilibar insisted that his side must "put in a calm and measured performance".

The Eibar boss travels with all 19 available members of his squad, with Yoel, Fran Rico, Pedro León, Iván Alejo and Iván Ramis all ruled out through injury. 

"We're in a better place than we were in the week leading up to the Deportivo game.  You feel unsatisfied when you just pick up a point at Ipurua, but then you take a look at the table and see that it was enough to move us up two or three places".

When asked about returning to the ground where the team last season claimed a 1-1 draw, Mendilibar commented that: "We're not in the same shape as we were last season.  I don't know about them. A game played a season ago has no bearing whatsoever on this match.  It's very unlikely that we'll see the same sort of game".

"They hit top form before the start of the LaLiga campaign, they were flying and winning everything. They went through a spell in which they were on form, playing very well and winning games.  They're currently going through a patch in which they're struggling to win games, particularly at home, but they're capable of scoring at any time and are a very difficult side to stop.   It's important that we're not intimidated when we have possession and offer the player on the ball options, so that they too are made to chase after us a bit".

Mendilibar was full of praise for Karim Benzema, who he referred to as "one of the best strikers in the world".   "I would like to hear what his teammates say when asked who they enjoy playing alongside.  I'm certain that Benzema would be right up there for most of his teammates. They play well when he's in the side. He doesn't just focus on getting goals, he also plays with a lot of nous.  As well as scoring goals, he helps out a lot in both the team's attacking and defensive play".