Mendilibar: I think we're capable of dominating
Eibar will move up the standings if they overcome Espanyol and register a third win on the bounce
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's clash against RCD Espanyol at Ipurua, José Luis Mendilibar expressed his belief that his side "are capable of dominating".
Should Eibar manage to claim what would be a third straight La Liga victory, they would leapfrog Sunday's opponents in the standings. Mendilibar has to contend with injuries to goalkeeping duo Yoel and Asier Riesgo and midfielders Fran Rico and Pedro León, whilst Charles is also ruled out through suspension. The rest of the squad, including Iván Ramis, who has rejoined group training sessions this week after having recovered from injury, are available for selection.
Mendilibar pointed out that, in addition to dominating play, his team will need to "be on our game to create chances and put them away, whilst being aware that Espanyol are a fine side with some really good players in the midfield and attacking areas, who are capable of creating danger out of nothing".
"They're not like other sides that are obsessed with possession and controlling the play, although you can still control games in many other ways without needing to have possession: by defending well and making sure the opposition don't get any chances and being clinical when you get into attacking areas".
"We've got the opportunity to leapfrog them if we win, whilst they'll be thinking that if they beat us that'll give them a five-point cushion over us. Their targets for the season are different to ours. They're aiming to finish closer to the European places than to the bottom of the league. By beating us they can take a step closer to their target. If they lose, they'll perhaps be forced to think about rethinking their objectives".