Rayo Vallecano vs Eibar preview - Jemez wants to look up not down

Posted Sunday, November 02, 2014 by PA

Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez believes Monday night's visit of Eibar offers his side a great chance to concentrate their focus on the teams at the top of the table rather than worrying about what is going on below them.

With four of the bottom six having suffered defeats on Friday and Saturday, 10th-placed Rayo could put further daylight between themselves and those in trouble if they can see off 13th-placed Eibar in Vallecas.

Jemez is not expecting it to be easy against the top-flight newcomers, but has left his players in no doubt as to the importance of getting three points - not least because they have to travel to Real Madrid next weekend.

He told a press conference: "The game is very important for the moment we're in, the opponents we're facing and the situation which it would leave us in. If we win we can put ourselves in a very favourable position looking ahead to the rest of the year.

"With the results so far from this weekend, these points could give us a certain amount of calm and a jump in the standings. It's a target for us that wasn't in the script, although we're always thinking of looking ahead rather than behind."

Jemez is demanding his players treat Eibar with the utmost respect, though.

The Basque minnows are playing in the top flight for the first time and have acquitted themselves pretty well, picking up 10 points - one less than Rayo - in their opening nine matches.

Gaizka Garitano's side may have won just twice so far, but they have also only suffered three defeats, two of which were against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, and Jemez has seen enough to know the threat they pose.

Jemez said: "They are very tough team, they don't give anything away. It would be very bad if we assume we're better than them.

"Eibar have shown from the start that they can be competitive They are doing a great job."

Eibar boss Garitano also has a mutual respect for Rayo, who will be looking to bounce back from their 4-0 mauling at Malaga last time out.

He said: "If we don't go into the game well we will have a problem, they come out very strong and will be desperate to turn things round after losing their last match. They lost 4-0 in Malaga and then they play against Madrid.

"Although we're going to a difficult ground, I'm always optimistic and we've shown we can play well away from home."