Eusebio: Red changed everything

Eusebio Sacristan claimed Aritz Elustondo’s red card was “an exaggerated punishment that changed everything” in Real Sociedad’s 2-0 defeat to Eibar.

Aritz was sent off on just 24 minutes after the referee adjudged his handball in the box to deliberately block a goalscoring opportunity, and while Eibar missed the penalty, they went on to beat La Real with two second-half finishes, including Asier Illarramendi putting into his own net.

“Aritz Elustondo’s dismissal was an exaggerated punishment,” the Coach said after the game on Saturday.

“After the red card, the game became uphill. Until then, the match was very even, with two teams playing with great intensity and aggressiveness when fighting for the ball.

“The punishment was excessive because it wasn’t voluntary from Aritz, who was turning around.

“The red card changed everything. The game changed after that incident and we tried to defend and to seize the opportunities on the counterattack, but we weren’t been able to.

“In the second half, Eibar scored and won. They took advantage of their numerical superiority, but we were strong.

“The team gave me evidence that they’re strong mentally and morally, getting up in difficult situations such as those we experienced here as they made for a tough game.

“The players continued to work with faith and enthusiasm, fighting until the last second.

“The team are competing well with good phases of play and less so in others. We must work to have more consistency.”

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