Eibar vs Cordoba C.F. preview - Garitano: We must give everything

Posted Friday, May 22, 2015 by PA

Eibar coach Gaizka Garitano said his team have to "give everything we have inside of us" as they fight for Primera Division survival in their final game of the season against Cordoba.

The Basque side occupy the final spot in the relegation zone and are two points from safety, meaning they must beat the Andalusians and hope that either Deportivo La Coruna or Granada fail to win their final games, against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively.

Despite the pressure facing his team, Garitano insisted he is looking forward to the game.

"I loved playing these types of games, you have to be brave and give your best. They are tough but wonderful experiences. If it goes well, it will be remembered for many years to come," the coach told a press conference.

"We have to give everything we have inside of us. We have been in life or death situations before and come through them. I'm optimistic."

Garitano also explained he will show no interest in Deportivo and Granada's matches until the games have finished.

"Tomorrow we have to win whatever happens and then we can look at the other results," he said.

"We have to forget about the other games and focus our minds on ours. We will only have a chance of staying up if we win our game. Our calculations our easy: if we don't win it doesn't matter what happens elsewhere."

Garitano also avoided talking about comments the club's president Alex Aranzabal made earlier in the week about rumours Cordoba players could receive bonuses from other clubs if they beat Eibar. Cordoba were relegated three weeks ago and are also guaranteed to finish the season bottom of the Primera Division table.

"I have a lot of respect for Cordoba," he said.

"Cordoba and Eibar are very similar teams. We haven't forgotten that Cordoba have competed well this season despite not winning many matches. They have lacked a little bit of luck in some games, just like us."

Garitano has three absentees for the game, with Jaime Jimenez, Abraham Minero and Manu del Moral all injured, and the coach said the rest of the players are focused on the game and not suffering from nerves.

"I believe in my players. The most important thing for us is that we try and play football. If we think too much about it we'll get distracted. The players are motivated enough and all they have to do is play as they know how."

Cordoba are without Iago Bouzon, Jose Angel Crespo, Rene Krhin, Patrick Ekeng and Fede Cartabia through injury for their final game in the top flight, in which they will be searching for their first win since 12 January.