Team Focus: Efficient Eibar Enjoying First Foray in La Liga

Eibar began the 2014/15 La Liga season as many fans' second side, due to the tiny Basque club’s fairytale rise through the divisions in recent years, and their successful campaign to raise the funds needed to meet Spanish football’s skewed financial wellbeing regulations.

There were fears however, particularly among newer fans, that the dream could quickly turn sour when Eibar were faced with the reality of top-class opposition. This was understandable given the team arrived at this level with a 39-year-old coach whose only previous job was at Eibar B, and a squad almost entirely lacking in previous top flight experience. 

Of Eibar’s regular starters so far this term, centre-half Raúl Navas had played one Primera game for Valladolid in 2009/10, right-back Eneko Bóveda appeared three times over two seasons for Athletic Bilbao around five years ago, and full-back Lillo had three appearances in total for Valencia and Almeria. Striker Ángel had more experience - but managed just 4 goals in 44 Primera appearances for Tenerife and Levante. Only left-back Abraham had been a regular in a top flight, and he was relegated with Real Zaragoza in 2012-13.

But nobody has looked overawed. Coach Gaizka Garitano and his players have looked far from it on the big stage, putting together a string of impressively controlled and intelligent performances, losing just twice so far.

Their start has been built - just like last season when they conceded just 28 goals in 42 games while easily winning the Segunda Division - on a solid defence. Even after the likely one-off mayhem of the 3-3 draw at home to Levante last time out, Eibar have still conceded just seven goals in their first seven top flight games. They may have only scored eight in total themselves, but that has been enough to secure nine points and a comfortable mid-table position from which to enjoy the current international break.

It is quite difficult to pick out individual stars from these games, with the team relying on collective effort so far. Centre-back Raúl Albentosa is Eibar’s best performing player overall to date, with a 7.32 rating, helped by his 4.4 aerial duels won per game [11th of all La Liga players]. Albentosa’s central defensive partner Navas is also riding high in the rankings with 6.5 clearances per game [third in the division] and 1.0 blocks per game [joint fourth]. Hard-working midfielder Dani Garcia also stands out with 4 interceptions per game [4th in La Liga] and 3.3 tackles [17th]. 

The numbers for their teammates in attack are, perhaps unsurprisingly, less impressive. Starting centre-forward Ángel is yet to score or make an assist, and has had just 0.7 shots per game. Left-sided attacking midfielder Javi Lara is the closest thing they have to a playmaker - with 1.6 key passes per game and 43% of his side’s attackd coming down his side of the pitch. The emphasis on everyone contributing is summed up by Eibar’s first eight goals in the Primera Division having been scored by eight different players.

Their team stats also spell out Eibar’s basic approach. They have so far played the most long balls in the division [84 per game], and are 19th in short passes [just Espanyol have made fewer]. They have the joint worst pass completion percentage [just 68.0%] and are 16th in the possession stakes [46.6%]. Coming 20th of the 20 teams in dribbles per game [4.6] also suggests they are not encouraged to take risks when they do have the ball. Let’s just say that Garitano’s men have not been over-complicating things in their first season in the big time.

But that is not to say that Eibar’s players, and their ever growing number of fans, have not been enjoying themselves. The opening day 1-0 win over Real Sociedad was a glorious occasion at Ipurua, while the goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao last month was also rightly celebrated. Lara's goal against Sociedad, and Saul Berjon's strike against Levante, will both also live long in spectators' memories.

Next up for Eibar is perhaps the toughest challenge of all - away at table-topping Barcelona. Luis Enrique’s side have won all three home La Liga games so far this season, scoring 11 goals and conceding zero. Lionel Messi and Neymar have both scored in four of Barca’s last five games, and another backs to the wall defensive display looks a certainty on the Basque club’s first ever Liga visit to the Camp Nou.

A potential positive for Eibar is that, with no international players, the ‘FIFA virus’ is not a concern. Barca have 17 players on international duty this week, with both Neymar and Messi coming back from lengthy journeys to the Far East. Luis Enrique and his side may also have one eye on their looming clasico at Real Madrid a week later.

Given their progress to date, Garitano and his men will not travel to Catalonia in fear. They know their limitations, and are sure to have a plan for making things as difficult as possible for Barca. Whatever the result, Eibar's number of admirer looks likely to increase still further this weekend.

How impressed have you been with Eibar’s start to life in La Liga? Let us know in the comments below