REPORT. Eibar fall to an efficient Albacete (2-1)

Eibar were unable to capitalize on the dominance they showed throughout the game and fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Albacete, who were more effective in front of goal.

The opening minutes were dominated by the Armeros. Eibar tested the opponent's goal and even scored through Arbilla from a free kick, but the goal was disallowed for a close offside. Shortly after, Matheus tried his luck from outside the area without success.

It was, however, Albacete who took advantage of their first chance to make it 1-0. A counter-attack led by Juanma down the left was finished off by Quiles with an accurate left-footed shot. Eibar struggled in the ensuing minutes against an Albacete side that pressed forward, buoyed by the goal.

Little by little, Etxeberria's team regained control of the game and rediscovered their dominance. The reward  came in the 43rd minute thanks to a header from Jon Bautista, who beat the defense to finish a ball in from Alvaro Tejero from the right. It was the sixteenth goal of the season for the forward from Guipuzcoa and the seventh assist for the defender.

In the second half, the home side retook the lead in the 60th minute when Olaetxea headed home from a corner kick.

Eibar tried until the end and, despite dominating the game, they came away from their visit to Albacete empty-handed.

The Eibar players wore black armbands during the game as a sign of mourning for the death of Stoichkov's mother.