Nolaskoain finding his true calling as Eibar's defensive rock
The former Athletic Club man has cemented his place at centre-back for Eibar, impressing with his composure and defensive prowess in the Segunda División.
Peru Nolaskoain has quietly established himself as one of Eibar’s most consistent performers since shifting to centre-back, with his performance against Almería showcasing exactly why manager Beñat San José’s positional switch has been a masterstroke.
From midfield to defensive maestro
San José has been forced into numerous tactical adjustments throughout the first half of the season, with mixed results. However, his decision to reposition Nolaskoain from his usual midfield berth to central defence has proven inspired.
The move initially came about through necessity rather than design. With both Buta and Arrillaga struggling at left-back, San José opted to shift the experienced Anaitz Arbilla to fill that problematic position about two months ago. This left a vacancy in central defence that Nolaskoain has seized with both hands.
While the Zumaia-born player had previously featured in defence, the majority of his appearances across his two spells at Ipurua had come in midfield. However, his performances alongside Marco Moreno suggest he might have found his true calling in the backline.
Dominant display against Almería
Nolaskoain was absolutely mustard against Almería last Sunday, delivering what many consider his finest performance in an Eibar shirt. His defensive statistics tell the story:
- Won an impressive 66% of his duels
- Made multiple crucial ball recoveries
- Showed composure in possession
- Demonstrated aggressive but controlled defending
His influence wasn’t limited to defensive duties either. In the dying moments, it was Nolaskoain’s headed flick-on from Corpas’ set-piece that created the assist for Olaetxea’s decisive goal.
Selection headache
With Arbilla now available again after serving his three-match suspension, San José faces an interesting dilemma. However, given Nolaskoain’s stellar performances, it seems unlikely he’ll be shifted back to midfield anytime soon.
The gaffer’s had to chop and change more than he’d have liked this season, but finding Nolaskoain’s best position might just be worth its weight in gold as Eibar push on in the Segunda División.