Claudio Barragán’s courage and optimism may not have carried over to the field, but his talent remains undeniable and his move to Elche matters. The former player and coach, who sports a distinctive green-white look, visited the Díez Iborra training session yesterday. He offered applause and, more than once, stated plainly: “I came to stay connected with football, not to walk away. I also joined a few partnership activities. I want to come again, and I hope luck follows.”
In any case, Claudio remains a thoughtful football figure at Elche, and his analysis helps illuminate the situation: “Pre-season has begun with more than a few injury concerns. All of this tends to surface because it costs money until players adapt and the coach’s ideas become clear. The impression from the Barcelona match sticks with me because it was intense. That level of commitment is what the group should emulate.”
Franchiverde echoes this sentiment. “As soon as the key players regain peak physical condition, the team should advance, and I doubt that will differ this season. He already delivered last year, and I expect the same this year,” he said.
Discussing the coach’s role, Barragán remarked, “The coach’s job is extremely demanding because you’re chasing what’s best for the team and you don’t always hit the mark. But Francisco already found the right solutions last season and will do so again this year. Reaching 18 points early can cast doubt, but the truth is that the coach and I see him as strong and convinced, and he has become a unifying voice in the squad.”
Calmness is essential for progress, and so the work must continue at the same pace. The search for solutions to unlock the best in the team should stay on track, with trust placed in players to fulfill their roles. One key point for Barragán is that some players who showed great determination last season are not yet imposing themselves. With a 15-day window to recover, the team must rebuild and reset. Looking ahead to the next fixtures, he stressed that intensity and competitiveness, alongside a willingness to secure three points by any means, are crucial for building confidence within the group.
Regarding upcoming matches, which appear more manageable than those just played, the former footballer added that Premier League parity makes every encounter challenging. Elche produced strong performances and impressive results against top sides like Barça, Real Madrid, and Villarreal last season, and that level of performance remains a reference point. It’s not about claiming superiority; it’s about recognizing that all teams are in the same league and that consistency matters.
When discussing the forthcoming game, Barragán described Rayo as a tough opponent, especially in Vallecas. The squad must trust its capabilities and stay convinced that success is possible. Barragán’s visit, which included a brief conversation with Francisco, several players, and staff, came at a moment of noticeable recovery. The former player left the impression that he could serve as a talisman for the team, bolstering morale as they push forward.