Sarabia plays it cool ahead of heated Valencia derby: 'Special, but we approach it like any other'
Elche boss Eder Sarabia downplays the 'final' tag for Friday's crucial derby against Levante despite injury concerns and January transfer window distractions.
Elche head to the Ciutat de Valencia on Friday night for a proper tasty derby clash, with manager Eder Sarabia doing his best to keep everyone’s feet on the ground despite the fixture being circled in red on supporters’ calendars.
Derby day pressure
The gaffer knows this Valencia region showdown carries extra weight, especially with Levante in a right state both emotionally and in the table. But Sarabia’s having none of that ‘cup final’ talk, insisting his squad will maintain “the same focus” they bring to every match.
“Football has many details and we need to be prepared,” warned Sarabia, fully aware that Levante’s new manager bounce could pose problems for his side. The granota outfit are desperate for points against a direct rival.
Treatment room headaches
The physio’s been working overtime at Elche this week, with Sarabia confirming both Fort and Chust are definitely out. Meanwhile, it’s touch and go for several key players:
- Rafa Mir
- John
- Bigas
- Álvaro Núñez
“It’s a match everyone wants to be involved in,” explained the boss. “They might do something in training today and, if they want to be with the team, we’ll include them in the squad.”
Sarabia was particularly cagey about his potential starting eleven, asking for more careful analysis of player performances, especially those coming off the bench: “You don’t know what the plan is. We need to be careful,” he pointed out.
Transfer window distractions
The January window is in full swing, and the rumour mill’s working overtime around Elche. Sarabia acknowledged it’s “a delicate moment because it distorts more than it helps” but remained calm about his squad’s focus.
“We have a wonderful dressing room, an incredible family,” he said. “They’re not robots, it’s inevitable they think about their situation, but the feeling I have is that they’re fully plugged in.”
The gaffer refused to discuss potential signing Cepeda until anything’s official, while explaining young Ali Houary’s possible loan to Mirandés: “We have high hopes he’ll be a great player, but he needs a category that helps him become a professional.”
As for goalkeeper Dituro’s rumoured departure, Sarabia was crystal: “I haven’t received any news. If we believed all the rumours, we’d change almost the entire squad.”
Away day blues
Elche’s lack of victories on their travels hasn’t escaped notice, but Sarabia’s not having a bubble over it.
“There are still many points to play for,” he reasoned. “We’ve set the bar so high that we’ve lost perspective. Nothing is definitive, and what gives me peace of mind is the team’s performance.”
The boss also praised the supporters who’ll make the journey, noting: “The players want to give that extra something because the fans are doing the same.”
With pressure mounting as the league table tightens, Friday’s derby will be a proper test of Elche’s mental fortitude as they look to finally bag three points away from home.