Eder Sarabia, the head coach of Elche, expressed his admiration for José Bordalás, the Getafe manager and Elche’s next opponent, during a press conference on Thursday. Sarabia acknowledged Bordalás’s significant contributions to the game, stating, “He does many positive things and deserves a lot of credit, which is why he has been in La Liga for so long.”
The Basque coach emphasized Bordalás’s ability to get the best out of his players, praising his impressive collective performance and the affection he receives from the fans. Sarabia chose to set aside any debates about differing styles of play, suggesting that a focus on learning from one another is more valuable. “We have moved past discussions that divided us. Everyone learns from everyone else. They do things we do, and we incorporate some of theirs as well. Learning involves adapting as football evolves,” he reflected.
Looking ahead to what he described as a “very tough” match, Sarabia is optimistic that his team will be mentally and physically prepared despite a short week of training. He noted that they have worked on “special things” tailored to Getafe’s characteristics. “We need to manage the game and shape it to suit our interests,” he said, adding that each match feels like its own unique story, and Elche is capable of adjusting to various scenarios.
Sarabia expressed gratitude for the positive responses he received from fans following Elche’s performance against Real Madrid, revealing that “99%” of the messages he receives are filled with pride and appreciation. He acknowledged Getafe’s strengths under Bordalás, remarking that they are adept at “exploiting their virtues,” and stated that Elche would apply lessons learned from past encounters, like the match in Vitoria, to aim for improvement.
Addressing the current circumstances, Sarabia pointed out that Elche has no excuses for entering the match in anything less than optimal condition, despite Getafe facing two player absences that could impact their strategy. He anticipates a contest marked by competitiveness and suggests the outcome could hinge on the final moments.
The Elche coach emphasized the need for his team to bring intelligence and focus to the game, regardless of the contrasting glamour of previous opponents. He hopes to see the team reflect their characteristic “unconditionality, excitement, and bravery.”
Regarding the goalkeeper situation, Sarabia was reticent, pleased with the form of both goalkeepers and indicating that aerial effectiveness won’t be the only decisive factor against Getafe; secondary actions will also be crucial.
Despite a challenging recent spell where Elche has secured only three points out of a possible 18, Sarabia is buoyed by the supportive atmosphere surrounding the team. He emphasized the importance of conveying understanding and valuing their efforts, aiming to maintain fans’ pride even amid result gaps.