coach Elche CF, sebastian beccacece He offered the press conference before the meeting this Friday. Sunday (14 hours)In Martínez Valero, in front Valencia CF. In addition to speaking about the match, the Argentinian coach also answered questions about the situation and the future of the team.
How does the team feel after losing their first three games?
We came with the dream of continuing to grow in operation. We show a game line. It’s hard to talk about virtues in football, but what can be evaluated is how it works. And in that sense, things are being seen. We’ve made some substitutions, we have more possession of the ball, we’re hitting the opposite side more and we’re conceding less goals at home. We play more leading roles, we are always looking for the result. I think there’s room to hold on and we’re working on what’s going to happen. We could have come in June, but we have decided to do so now, believing that we can take advantage of this time to sow and build the future. We focus on what we want, not what’s left of the season. That’s why we work with optimism and we have a degree of credibility. I think seeing an Elche that is competitive, dedicated, trying to be more than their competitors is visible to me.
Are you afraid that the fans who have always supported the team will be discouraged when they see a team go to the point of self-destruction?
This is key. People have a football feeling and they see that the team gives everything to them beyond the result. The fans showed great maturity and always encouraged us. This means that there is a wide spectrum of social maturity. The situation we are in hurts, but we must try to enjoy the road we have left. Every game should be a party and you should see a team that knows what they are playing. The reality is not what we want, but the fans perceive that there is an extreme commitment, even if things are not going well. They enjoyed it for three years and now the situation is complicated, but they still have an important sense of belonging.
For a winner, might it bother you to lose too much?
I’m excited because I’m seeing a reaction from the players. Winning or losing is relative as long as the team competes and has an idea of the game. The best athletes in all disciplines have lost more than they have gained. You have to be constant in the illusion because that’s what winning is about. Despite the setbacks, I continue to work. Complaining and making excuses is useless. You must work to raise the future Elche to the heights it deserves. We are working to make this happen. I know exactly where I came from. I have always worked to transform, reinvent and grow through suffering. I know that success is momentary and somewhat temporary. Right now I work every day to help and get better when things are not going well.
Afraid of entering a negative spiral with so many defeats?
Borders and fears must be crossed. We must concentrate on working and building. What could be that we can’t handle? We are trying to improve as a group and if this continues, I am optimistic.
How can you overcome the fact that in this negative dynamic, the team may disintegrate after each blow? Do you have to work as a psychologist?
The team competes. We work before a big challenge. We must be psychologically strong when we do not hit or when we are hit. We must be prepared for those moments and act with empathy and patience without giving up demanding. I do this from the heart. We must stay connected to Elche every minute, knowing the challenges and that it may be a worthy moment to grow. I try to give players tools to strengthen their spirit. The natural tendency is for everything to be ruined in these difficult moments. But we must make an effort and maintain the collective ties.
Has the loss of Carmona, Helibelton Palacios, Gumbau and Ponce upset your plans?
They are important shortcomings. Heli for speed, Carmona for density, Gumbau for intelligence. But it is distinguished by a number of collectives. It is natural to replace losses. What we are looking for is a team concept and game idea beyond football players. I am satisfied with the work of Gonzalo Verdú, Diego González, Magallán, Roco… At other times they stood out more and now less. The player must be prepared when it is his turn to play. It’s not unusual that they don’t play, it’s about performance and enjoyment.
Are you planning to keep Mascarell as a centre-back?
I like Omar’s position in the delivery position, his defensive speed in large areas, his passing against Osasuna as he did with Tete Morente. He defends well in the area. It got me focused on that and it goes well with Pedro Bigas. It’s a natural process and they will continue as long as they do it right.
Faced with this situation, what might other non-players like Verdú, Roco, Diego or Magallán think? What don’t they count for next season?
Squads consist of 24-26 players and it is natural for some to play more and some less. That’s why we’re talking about being professional. It’s a topic that can be talked about behind closed doors. That’s not how we see the inside of the dressing room. They must have the capacity for mental strength and show determination when it is their turn to play. Those who play more and those who play less are part of the team. I like to work by position and do the same with those who have fewer minutes, and even more than others. All part of Elche.
In the last match, players like Lirola and Álex Collado, who were on loan and would not continue in principle, played. Will you continue to give opportunities to such players?
We want a good gift to develop in the future. You have to seize every opportunity. It doesn’t matter if a player ends his contract. Who says they can’t go on? We’ll talk about everything when the season is over. You are now competing for a position and an opportunity. We only have 12 players on the roster and we look for the best when we have losses from there. You have to play each game according to your own taste.
Do you plan to give young players a chance?
There is John who is with us and playing, although he has an auxiliary file.
Do Josan or Raúl Guti have options to play?
Raúl started in Girona and, like the whole team, had a good first half. His replacement was difficult because we were losing and he wanted a player who was more cohesive and had more last passes in the three quarters in the second half. That’s why Álex Collado entered. Josan can play on the wing but his natural position is up the court. It will be necessary to see the characteristics of the party and the opponent.
Valencia comes with water up to its throat. Could it be the right time to claim your first victory?
Every match is always an opportunity. Talking about the bad moment the opponent could come up with can backfire. We are two teams in need and it will be a meeting with that sense of need. We must focus on continuing to improve. If we focus on that suffering and anxiety, it won’t help convey the idea of play we want. If we can focus on what we want, we’ll be closer to winning.
Elche and Valencia are two teams with very good relations. Valencia helped him reach permanence in their last game in Huesca three seasons ago, drawing with nothing at stake. Do some feel that you should return the favor?
They told me the story and no doubt it shows their degree of professionalism and dignity. That’s why we need to be extremely professional in the upcoming matches, both against Valencia and against possible opponents. In this sense, they need to be calm. We have to go out to be a competitive team and give ourselves to the last drop of sweat to win accordingly.
In the first-round shootout at Mestalla, there was an disallowed goal for Nico Fernández that could mean Elche’s victory. There may be a double motivation for this game to show that there is an injustice…
I saw that match. Referee decisions are part of the game. We could all be wrong. But our biggest motivation is to defend our club and to give back this help and trust to our 24,000 subscribers and our fans who could not get their season tickets for financial reasons and who helped us from outside. This is clear to us and we don’t need to remember that meeting to compete at the top.