Last Elche-Zaragoza on the way to the First with Pacheta

The clash took place in the first leg of the promotion semi-final. Especially on Thursday, August 13 and the stadium being empty due to anti-covid measures.

Victory on the return

A few days later, on Sunday the 16th, the team led by Pacheta surprised everyone by winning La Romareda (0-1). With Nino’s goal, they reached the final and were promoted to the First League.He would later play against Girona and win.

The last day at Martínez Valero was an unusual one for many reasons. Nobody expected Elche to be promoted. First. However, also due to the break due to Covid, the match was held in mid-August. And as stated, without an audience.

That Thursday, August 13, 2020, San Román, Edgar Badía, Josan and Fidel were in the team and they were all in the current Beccacece formation.. However, only Badía, Fidel, who entered the game in the 57th minute, and Josan, who came on the field in the 82nd minute, played. The former is currently serving as a reserve goalkeeper, while the midfielder is doubtful due to a muscle injury. Let him carry it so he can do it. It could be that only Josan repeats the last quote.

Glory

This will be remembered as a great moment in Franjiverde history when players from both teams take to the field again this Saturday at 18.30. They now meet again in league competition in League Two, where they have clashed the most in the last two decades.

In the regular league

In regular competition, Elche and Zaragoza met in the palm tree-lined city on February 15, a few days before the covid-19 pandemic emerged. Maños took the three points in a very close match in which Pere Milla scored for the local team and Alberto Siro and Luis Suárez scored for the visitors. 1–2 final, Josan was replaced by Fidel and Edgar Badia (starting as goalkeeper at the time) in a match with repeats from existing players such as San Román (substitute). All under Pacheta’s command, in a stadium with 11,287 spectators. Journalist José Antonio Galvañ captioned his diary with the warning “Elche takes its own medicine”, referring to “Pacheta’s team breaking their winning streak against the intense, supportive Zaragoza with many dangers coming from the wings”.

More green Franchi victories

Now, more than three and a half years later, Elche club hosts Zaragozaans once again in the official regular league match. Also in the Second League, where this match took place 7 times. By the way, remarkable results were achieved for Elche in this silver category (five wins and 12 losses against two losses and 6 losses).

A classic, especially in the First League

The duel, which will be repeated on the 15th matchday, has happened more times in the top league. 18 in particular, with nine domestic wins, six draws and three losses. There are 27 examples of Elche-Zaragoza in total, including the friendly match (0-2) and the promotion match to Primera (0-0) played in 2021; More than half (14) of the home team wins, seven draws and six losses.

Elche-Zaragoza is a classic duel in Spanish football. The last visit to Primera del Zaragoza was about great heroes, despite the bitter memories. The talented team beat Elche at home almost 15 years ago. The guest team had players such as Pardeza, Chilavert, Salillas and Señor, and its coach was Radomir Antic. Claudio was the referent of the people of Elche, who were then ruled by Kubala.

On January 15, 1989, Zaragoza was fishing in troubled rivers. A great team with historic players defeated a local team that started the match ahead on the scoreboard, against Elche, which was at the bottom of the First League. He couldn’t do anything against the avalanche.. In a match that ended 1-4 “Zaragoza took advantage of Elche’s mistakes on the verge of being knocked out”Journalist FJ Benito quoted it in his diary.