Eder Sarabia’s Emotional Return to Bilbao as Elche Faces Athletic

omidbasir- Eder Sarabia, the head coach of Elche, is set to return to Bilbao this Friday at 21:00 to face Athletic at San Mamés, a venue rich with personal significance for him. This marks his first appearance there as the visiting head coach, and the match carries immense weight as his team struggles in the league.

“This is a very special day, particularly given what’s at stake. There are numerous emotions and feelings involved,” Sarabia acknowledged in the lead-up to the match. Aside from his personal connections, he emphasized the importance of the collective effort: “I want to enjoy this experience with the team, the coaching staff, family, and our supporters.”

Currently, Elche finds itself in a precarious position in the league. After a promising start, the team has not secured a victory in the last seven matches and is just one point above the relegation zone. Sarabia approached the situation pragmatically, stressing the need for balance.

“As in life, in football, the virtue lies in moderation. When we were winning, we were not as extraordinary as we thought, and now, just because we are not winning, it doesn’t mean we are doing everything wrong,” he explained. While he acknowledged the risk of relegation—”I hope we don’t drop down, but it is a possibility”—he reiterated the importance of handling pressure naturally: “We don’t look up or down; we focus on each day to become better.”

Despite the team’s recent struggles, Sarabia remains optimistic about achieving their first away victory. “We are currently in an undesirable results streak and are eager to deliver an outstanding performance to secure that first win on the road. The last two matches have been steps in the right direction, which is why I feel calm.”

Regarding the opponent, Sarabia anticipates facing the best version of Athletic at home: “We expect the Athletic of San Mamés, bolstered by their fans and in good form. Even when not at their best, they always manage to produce something special.”

Sarabia emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s identity in such a demanding context: “One of our core values is to enjoy the game and understand the significance of this match. We approach it with conviction, skill, and mental strength to tackle this pressured moment where so much is on the line.”

In terms of team news, Héctor Fort and Diang will be unavailable; Fort is sidelined with a shoulder injury while Diang is dealing with physical discomfort that prevented him from playing against Osasuna. On a positive note, David Affengruber returns after serving a suspension, and Josan has recovered for the match. “The more players we have available, the better we become,” Sarabia asserted.

With a heart full of memories and a sense of responsibility, Sarabia returns to his roots, determined to channel his emotions into competitive drive and shift Elche’s trajectory in one of the toughest venues in the league.