Eder Sarabia, the head coach of Elche, spoke to the media ahead of the highly anticipated derby against Villarreal, scheduled for tomorrow at Martínez Valero Stadium. Sarabia emphasized that the match against Villarreal, a formidable opponent, presents a significant challenge due to the high caliber of both their players and coaching staff. He believes this match will be an opportunity for Elche to showcase their true potential.
Sarabia noted the festive atmosphere surrounding the holiday season, coupled with Elche’s solid home performance, as contributing factors to a “beautiful and special” event. With the reputation of Villarreal as one of the top teams in Europe, Sarabia expressed his hope that Elche can meet the expectations set by their rivals.
Reflecting on the team’s condition after the Christmas break, Sarabia remarked that the month of December was “a bit tough” for Villarreal, especially with their elimination from both the Champions League and Copa del Rey. However, he acknowledged that they are having a “historic” season in La Liga.
Despite Villarreal’s injuries, Sarabia pointed out that the team still boasts a strong lineup and a reliable bench. He praised Villarreal’s coach, Marcelino García, referring to him as “one of the best coaches in the history of Spanish football,” and credited his own development during his time at Villarreal’s youth academy.
On the tactical front, Sarabia indicated that Elche might have slightly more possession during the match but cautioned that Villarreal thrives in such situations. He described Villarreal as a “spectacular vertical team” capable of generating goal-scoring opportunities in seconds, highlighting their versatile attacking strategies.
Sarabia downplayed the significance of the league standings, noting that Elche is closer to European qualification than relegation, and stressed the importance of starting the year with a victory for the fans. He believes the team is focused on their game plan, determined to compete fiercely against any opponent and maintain their unbeaten home record.
In addition, Sarabia confirmed that the club is actively seeking a replacement for the injured Héctor Fort, stating that they hope to find a player who can quickly enhance the team’s quality and performance. While acknowledging the unpredictability of player movements in football, he reassured fans that all players are committed, emphasizing that any changes would need to be significant.
As excitement builds for the derby clash, both fans and players share the hope for a successful start to the year.