Villarreal Manager, Fran Escribá, says a very difficult match awaits them in Eibar
Villarreal Manager, Fran Escribá, warned that the Submarine’s next match at the Ipurua stadium against Eibar (Sunday, 12pm CET) will be a difficult one. “It may be the strangest ground, because of the size, the buildings so on top, the bench situation. But it breathes football in every corner. I was at the Eibar-Osasuna match and it was a typical northern football match. It’s a pitch that makes for a lot of set plays due to the fight for the ball and its dimensions. We have to place importance on our tactics. The details of a good corner or a good free kick could decide the match”, he commented.
According to the Yellows Manager, Eibar have developed their game and will be very dangerous: “Eibar have really progressed in their second ball game, they don’t play such direct football any more. They still have that, but they have signed quality players like Pedro León, Bebé and Fran Rico. They have players to play good football. They’re a team that have really evolved and direct attacking play isn’t their main outlet any more”.
The Basque side have already picked up some great results at their home ground this season. “All in all, with the stadium the way it is, the close proximity of the fans… They score a lot, but we concede few. They have let in many goals in the last few matches, like in their last game in which they were in control and winning 0-3, but ended up drawing. This match is of maximum difficulty. Eibar drew to Sevilla, beat Valencia and Real Sociedad. They’re intense and if you give them an inch they’ll do damage”, he assured.
Villarreal go to the Ipurua undefeated, both in LaLiga (9) and in the UEFA Europa League (3). “In the end it’s important not to lose because it gives you confidence, but I don’t like to think about this situation. If you draw three it’s worse than if you win two and lose one. If you don’t lose along the way, fantastic, but we’re not in search of any record. Our aim is not to go as many games as possible without losing, but to get as many points as possible”.
Despite the Submarine’s spectacular streak, the Manager prefers not to put pressure on his players: “It seems to me that talking about us being among the top three is excessive and puts us under unnecessary pressure. We’ll go for it, but to set a goal so big is a mistake. We know that it’s really difficult to achieve. The aim is to play in Europe, the rest is pressure we don’t want”.
