‘Eibar players were themselves’

Eibar Coach Gaizka Garitano has revealed he told his players to be themselves against Real Sociedad, and it worked.

The League debutants faced La Real at home in their first-ever top-flight fixture, a Basque derby no less, and claimed a memorable win through Javi Lara’s free-kick on the stroke of half time.

Speaking after the match, Garitano revealed he was hopeful rather than confident, believes the squad need more time to get to grips with the division in which they now play and revealed his words to the players before the match.

“I was hoping to be able to face up to them, and even win, and we did it,” Garitano said, according to AS.

“We had the game under control, except for when they took the advantage. For us it was very important to defend well. Otherwise, we would have had nothing to do in the first half.

“If we defend well we will always have opportunities. We finished a little tight.

“We’re missing a couple of weeks to get a little more physical of a physical tone.

“I told the players to enjoy the day and they were themselves. I’m proud to be their Coach.”

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