Jose Luis Mendilibar is wary of Alaves’ ability to “mix it up” but is confident Eibar’s “clarity” will serve them well against their Basque rivals on Sunday.
Eibar go into the match at Ipurua on the back of three wins in their last five La Liga games but also without their key trio of goalkeeper Asier Riesgo, midfielder Fran Rico and defender Ivan Ramis, the latter of whom faces two months out with a fractured tibia.
“We’re fine at home, but so are Alaves away,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“They’re picking up points away from home in difficult places. The latest example is Villarreal, a team who are strong at home, and that they won 2-0 there is no accident.
“They’re comfortable playing away, they’re calm and don’t want to play too quickly, and that gives them a lot of serenity.
“If they assume that we’ll play with two strikers, they may play five at the back, with three centre-backs and two wingbacks, although they’re a team that can mix it up.
“At Villarreal, they played with a back four, Villarreal with two strikers.
“Right now, Alaves are playing well in any system, but if you’re clear on what you have to do, it doesn’t matter which system you play.”
