Yerai Martin: "Sunday's derby will be very competitive because we both need the points"
According to Yerai Martin, Eibar have managed to turn Ipurua into a fortress and come into the derby in form, with just one defeat in their last seven home games
Speaking at the press conference ahead of Sunday's derby against Athletic Club, Yerai Martin expressed his enthusiasm and confidence in the team and the good momentum they have built up ahead of the chance to secure a good result in front of the Eibar fans: "We're keen to win a derby, having failed to do so against Athletic Club or Real Sociedad all season, and we're in good shape to try and do so again on Sunday in front of our own fans".
The coach also took the opportunity to praise the daily work of the whole team: "One player can get you through the game, but without the work of all of them, of all the roles, of the day-to-day.... It is impossible to get through a season. We have an exemplary locker room, with competitive players who are also good people, and I can only thank them for the work they have been doing since the beginning of the season".
At this point in the season, and being aware of the good form that the visiting team is also enjoying, the coach insists that the team can compete when facing rivals in the highest positions in the table: "Athletic is just a few points away from the Champions League places, except for the last game they have won almost 10 games... but it is also true that we compete very well at home and out of the last seven games at Ipurua we have only lost one".
He also took the opportunity to encourage fans of both teams to come to Ipurua on Sunday. It's the last derby of the season for Eibar, and they only have three home games left: "All derbies are special, and even more so for a Basque fan. We hope that there's a nice festive atmosphere on Sunday and, of course, hopefully we can get a good result in front of our fans".