Mendilibar: I'm pleased because we're going into the season in good shape

SD Eibar head coach, José Luis Mendilibar has drawn a positive assessment of his side's pre-season campaign, which ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat on Saturday at La Romareda against Real Zaragoza, after the game had ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

The squad were handed a day off on Sunday and Monday saw preparations begin ahead of the La Liga Santander opener on Friday 19 August against Deportivo La Coruña at Riazor (kick-off 22:00 CET).

Speaking to SD Eibar TV, Mendilibar stressed that his squad had "been lucky" with injuries "because we haven't had many". The most serious injury was that suffered by Jota Peleteiro, who fractured the proximal phalanx of the fifth toe in his left foot at the start of pre-season. Jota is currently undergoing a recovery programme.

"Then there was also a bit of an issue with Antonio Luna, but he recovered in time for the final games of pre-season".

Mendilibar described his side's pre-season preparations as having been "good". "We spent 10-12 days here, we then had another 11 days away in Austria and then another 10 back here. The results haven't been great, but we didn't prepare for the games to win them, but rather to go into the season in good shape and I believe we've done that".

"I think that our last three games are the ones in which we've competed best and that's a good sign. I certainly hope it is. I'm pleased because the things that we tried out went well and all of the players have played at least four full games".

Pre-season record:

Three wins: Real Unión (1-0), Lekhwiya (3-1) and Osasuna (1-0)

Three draws: Mirandés (2-2), Real Sociedad (1-1) and Real Zaragoza (2-2, defeated on penalties)

Four defeats: Real Sociedad B (1-0), Besiktas (3-0), Cologne (2-0) and Leipzig (3-2)

Goals for: 12

Goals against: 15