Mendilibar: We’re going with the intention of winning, we want to finish tenth
The Eibar coach stressed that the season has not finished for Eibar
José Luis Mendilibar, coach of SD Eibar, affirmed during the press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game at El Molinón, that his team is going to Gijón with the intention of winning the game because the season isn’t over and we want to finish tenth”.
Mendilibar named his squad, the novelty being the introduction of home-grown player Ander Gayoso. The players out of contention include Keko Gontán who has a physical niggle and the keeper Jaime (injured), while the coach has taken the decision to drop David Juncà, Lillo, Borja Ekiza and Saúl Berjón for the game.
As usual, El Molinón will be packed with support for them and against us. It’s a wonderful ground to play in, one of the nicest in the League and on top of that it will be full. What better for the players than an atmosphere like that. They are playing for their lives, having a great season. Many of us would have written them off and thought at this stage they would be already relegated, but there they are, despite all the constraints they have had”, he pointed out.
“I hope we make a good start. The last two games have been poor, above all in the first part, and we have to start strongly. If we come out half-asleep, they might not have the quality of Madrid or Barcelona but they’re different, they have speed, daring and desire”.
Mendilibar emphasised that his players are “mentally prepared” to win the game. “We are playing for more TV money next season and that has to be an incentive for everyone. But there’s also posterity and the curriculum, and it’s not the same to say a few years down the line that Eibar finished ninth or tenth as 16th or 17th”.