San Sebastián – The path to the playoffs in Spain’s Segunda División is taking Eibar back to its roots. After climbing from relegation spots to become serious promotion contenders, the Armeros face a crucial test Sunday at Real Sociedad B, a familiar foe for manager Beñat San José.
Eibar’s resurgence has been remarkable. Having fallen into the relegation zone in December, the team has since become one of the league’s strongest sides, fueled by a potent attack and a renewed sense of confidence. The team has secured 24 points from their last 33 available, keeping clean sheets in six of those matches. But maintaining this momentum requires navigating a challenging schedule, starting with a trip to Anoeta, the stadium where San José himself once played and coached.
The match, scheduled for 8:00 PM local time (20:00 CET) at the Reale Arena, presents a unique challenge for San José. With a quick turnaround to face Ceuta on Wednesday, the Eibar manager will need to rotate his squad to avoid fatigue among key players. Several starters are carrying a heavy workload, suggesting opportunities for those who featured less prominently in the recent 2-0 victory over UD Las Palmas.
San José has options. Lander Olaetxea, Álvaro, Javi Martínez, and Bautista could all feature in place of Aleix, Corpas, Madariaga, and Martón, mirroring the changes made against Las Palmas. Adu Ares is also likely to return to the starting lineup, having been replaced by Guruzeta last weekend. Jon Magunazelaia remains an option, though he has seen limited playing time in recent weeks.
Defensive adjustments are also possible, though San José has fewer resources in that area. Marco Moreno is reportedly carrying a knock, Arambarri is unavailable, and Juan Bernat is yet to make his debut for the club. This limits the manager’s flexibility in reshaping his backline.
Real Sociedad B, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their own positive momentum. Despite a heavy 5-1 defeat away to Almería, the team’s youthful squad is focused on securing their Segunda División status and finishing the season strongly. Their status as a reserve team allows them a degree of flexibility that other clubs may lack, lessening the impact of a significant loss.
The home side will be without Ibai Aguirre due to suspension, and Ochieng is sidelined with a muscular injury sustained during international duty with Kenya. The injury to Ochieng is particularly untimely, as he had been in excellent form prior to the setback.
The expected lineups, according to reports, are as follows:
Real Sociedad B: Fraga or Arana; Dadie, Ayo, Kita, Balda; Carbonell, Mikel Rodríguez; Díaz, Gorosabel, Marchal and Carrera.
Eibar: Jonmi; Cubero, Nolaskoain, Jair Amador, Arbilla; Olaetxea, Aleix or Sergio; Álvaro, Javi Martínez, Adu Ares; Bautista.
Beñat San José understands the significance of this match, not just for Eibar’s playoff aspirations, but also for his personal connection to Real Sociedad. Having spent a significant portion of his playing and coaching career with the San Sebastián club, he is acutely aware of the challenges that await his team at Anoeta.
“We go with tremendous intensity and obviously that carries a risk, but in the long run it will offer us a lot,” San José said, according to reports. His emphasis on intensity reflects Eibar’s recent form and their determination to secure a positive result.
The stakes are high for Eibar. A victory would further solidify their position in the playoff race, while a defeat could see them lose ground on their rivals. The match at Anoeta represents a significant test of their character and their ability to perform under pressure. For San José, it’s a chance to prove that his team can overcome adversity and achieve their ambitious goals.
Eibar’s recent success has been built on a strong defensive foundation and a clinical attack. Their ability to rotate players effectively will be crucial in navigating this busy period of the season. The team’s next challenge is to maintain their momentum and continue their push for promotion.
Following Sunday’s match against Real Sociedad B, Eibar will return to Ipurúa to face Ceuta on Wednesday. The team will then travel to face Villarreal B on April 13th. These upcoming fixtures will be pivotal in determining Eibar’s fate in the Segunda División playoff race.
Fans can follow live updates and analysis of the match on Archysport.com, as well as on the official Eibar club website and social media channels.
Related reading
