Eibar vs Elche preview - Garitano: Our most important game

Posted Sunday, February 15, 2015 by PA

Eibar coach Gaizka Garitano was in no mood to downplay the importance of their match against rivals Elche.

Eibar have been the surprise package in the Primera Division this season, with the Basque side currently sitting ninth in the table with 27 points.

Their success has been built on beating the teams around them, including a 2-0 victory away to Monday's opponents.

And Garitano is keen for that trend to continue, with Eibar still looking over their shoulders at the likes of Elche, who sit just above the drop zone and seven points off the visitors.

"The future of Eibar is decided by games like tomorrow," Garitano said in his pre-match press conference.

"It will be the most important game we have played, more important than Madrid or Barcelona and Athletic (Bilbao) when they come.

Garitano will be without Manu del Moral due to a thigh injury, while both Didac Vila and Abraham are out with muscle aches.

Those players will be a miss for Eibar, especially after losing their last three matches against Basque rivals Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and most recently to Deportivo La Coruna.

"We have done a lot of work and have corrected errors. I am optimistic," Garitano added.

"I am surprised that this streak has taken so long to arrive, it is something which is logical."

Elche themselves come into the encounter off the back of a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano and their coach Fran Escriba is hoping they can continue their winning run.

"Survival, for most, relies heavily on victories at home, but against rivals all points are very important," he said in his pre-match press conference.

"We feel that the team is growing. On Monday we have another important and very close game, but I see my players getting better as they have continuity and have taken a step forward.

"The group is doing very well physically."