Football Season Guide

Pre-season defeats to Besiktas, FC Koln and Leipzig forced Jose Luis Mendilibar to defend his team on their return to Spain a fortnight before the start of the 2016-17 league season. The Armeros still have local warm-up matches against Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Real Zaragoza to contest before the serious business gets underway and those fixtures will provide the clearest indication of Eibar’s form heading into the new campaign. Last season, they were breath-taking in the first half of the campaign and were competing for a European finish well into 2016 on the back of that effort. For the second year running, however, their form in the second half of term saw them plummet down the classification. Unlike the previous year, however, their first half economy was enough to avoid a close shave with relegation, even if they did eventually finish just five points above the drop zone in 14th. Mendilibar sees progress in his team’s work over the summer despite the tricky results and has assured the fans and the media that his group is on the right path. Their hope is to maintain more regularity in 2016-17, although if they meet their target of salvation then it will be an admirable achievement for what is still the club with the most modest resources and wealth in La Liga. The Basque minnows have lost arguably their most important players from last season, with Borja Baston joining Premier League club Swansea and Keko being snapped up by Primera Division rivals Malaga. How the Armeros cope without Keko’s dynamism out wide and Borja’s impressive goal return could determine whether they struggle or not this season. They broke their transfer record to sign Pedro Leon from Getafe as a replacement for Keko this summer. If we see the best of the former Real Madrid wide man then it will be a sound investment and a worthy replacement for Keko. However, he has a tendency to fall out with his coaches and discipline and focus are central to establishing himself at Ipurua. In Borja Baston’s absence, Ruben Pena has been signed from Leganes, although it is arguably current incumbent Sergi Enrich who will bear the burden of pressure to score goals and establish himself as the number one hitman. Jota Peleteiro, who arrived in January, could be the revelation this season if he can step out of Saul Berjon and Keko’s shadows. Ander Capa and Dani Garcia will also be important in defence and midfield again respectively. Bebe is another signing who could cause a big impact if we see the positives of high pressure, daring runs and spectacular goals, rather than the negatives of isolation and selfish play which have snuck into his game in the past. In front of new signing Yoel in goal, a fresh central defensive partnership of Alejandro Galvez and Florian Lejeune will also be under the spotlight. How well they match up for a team which is likely to invite pressure at times will be another fundamental test for Eibar’s season.