Fifty-one days after the World Cup break, Elche CF returned to action with a defeat to Girona at Martínez Valero (1-2). The setback left the team winless in the first 14 days of the season and at the bottom of the table with four points, casting a long shadow over their campaign.
More than a month and a half has passed since then, and a number of changes have reshaped the club. The most notable move saw Pablo Machín replace Jorge Almirón in the dugout, bringing a spark to a squad that had been stuck in a dark stretch and offering a glimmer of hope to fans.
Soriano has steered the team for a month, and in that period there has been a modest improvement in football ideas and in the confidence within the locker room. Now that light is brighter, but it still needs to be verified on the pitch. Tonight at 21:30, Movistar LaLiga broadcasts the challenge from the Metropolitano, where Elche faces Atletico Madrid in a test that could prove whether an unlikely escape from relegation is possible. (Source: club reports)
Atlético Madrid enters the match in decent form, though not flawless. They sit in fifth place with seven wins, three draws, and four losses. Simeone’s bond with his squad is not as seamless as in previous seasons. Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha has departed, while Joao Félix, from Portugal, reportedly eyes the Premier League. The overall output from several players has fallen short of expectations. If Elche implement their plan effectively, they could disrupt even strong teams and seize momentum in January, a critical period for salvaging the season and restoring belief in the locker room. (Source: league summary)
Machín has entered with limited resources, particularly in defense. Pol Lirola and Josan are sidelined by muscle injuries, and John Chetauya remains out with a broken fibula. Helibelton Palacios operates in the three pivot positions that the new coach favors, leaving the right flank exposed. The coach must decide whether to shift the Colombian defender to the right and grant access to that lane, or opt for Diego González or Roco on the back line, alongside Gonzalo Verdu and Pedro Bigas, whose places are more secure. Tete Morente could also be used in forward plans.
A highly conditioned staff
VL Deltel
Elche will have to cover the left lane with Carlos Clerc, as the left-back position is unsettled. Nico Fernández has suffered an ankle injury, and Lautaro Blanco will be unavailable until January 2, opening a window for new signings. In midfield, Gerard Gumbau has to be managed with caution due to disciplinary issues, which puts Mascarell and Raul Guti as the leading options in the middle. For the central midfield slot, Machín will decide between Pere Milla or Álex Collado, Domingos Quina, and Guadalajara depending on availability and match context. If the opponent is at home, the Huelva-born playmaker could reclaim his usual role after returning from injury.
Elche’s squad during the World Cup break saw departures and reshuffles. The manager currently has only 18 players from the first team, with Gumbau, Pol Lirola, John Chetauya, Nico Fernández, and Lautaro Blanco in the mix, while Pastore and Fede Fernández left the squad during the break. Machín also brought in players from the club’s youth system to complete squads for training and possible appearances, including Carles Marco, Manu Cocca, Álex Alfaro, and Jesús López, all of whom could be called upon to bolster the ranks if needed. (Source: club press materials)