Beccacece brings two changes in Elche’s starting 11 against Sevilla

Elche FC continues its upward trajectory as the season presses on. Franjiverdes pick up points for the third time in a row after a draw with Sevilla, leaving the team with a sense of cautious satisfaction. One red card altered the mood early when Pape Gueye was sent off in the 18th minute, forcing Elche to chase the game with a man advantage for much of the match.

Elche exploited their numerical superiority to level the score. Tete Morente opened the scoring, but Elche failed to capitalize on the momentum gained from the early dominance. The second half saw Morente and teammates struggle to maintain a clear, decisive approach that would pierce Sevilla’s defense.

Beccacece returned to experimentation, making two changes from the previous fixture against Getafe. Josan and Nico Fernández entered the lineup in place of Magallán and Lautaro Blanco. The Argentine winger Morente shifted to the left flank after Nico moved inside to right, reshaping the sequence on the left and allowing Morente to operate as a more advanced wide option.

As the match progressed, Jon was deployed again in a more advanced role, while Gumbau and Seedling anchored midfield duties to inject tempo and balance. Their task was to unlock Josan’s wide positions and bridge Nico and Morente more effectively along the flanks.

Nico Fernández and Josan were the two changes to the starting XI, a detail noted by observers as the match unfolded.

Sevilla struck first through a well-worked sequence involving Gueye, Nesyri, and Lamela, finishing with Argentinian precision. The opening goal forced Elche onto the back foot, though they managed to respond as Badé brushed a headed attempt against the post, signaling the period’s tense balance.

At 18 minutes the game pivoted after Gueye’s red card for a rough challenge on Lucas Boyé, leaving Sevilla a man short for the remainder of the tie. The numerical swing allowed Elche to press higher, with Morente and Josan causing disruption on the wings and searching for pockets of space in behind the visitors’ rearguard.

The moment of expulsion was a turning point, and Elche capitalized with renewed assertiveness. Franjiverdes pressed forward, Josan and Morente proving particularly dangerous as they cut through Sevilla’s structure, stretching the defense and creating superior angles for the supporting runners. The goal to restore parity came when a ball near the right side found its way to the central corridor, deflecting off Morente and landing near Josan, who finished with a measured touch to the far post, drawing Elche level in a sequence that encapsulated the chaotic, opportunistic tone of the match [Citation: MATÍAS SEGARRA].

With the extra player, Elche enjoyed greater space and rhythm. Morente fired a couple of powerful efforts on goal, though neither found the target with the precision needed to tilt the balance. Sevilla, not daunted by the disadvantage, pressed forward and created chances of their own, testing Edgar Badía with quicker transitions and sharp crosses that required quick reflexes and vigilance from the Elche stopper.

The visitors continued to push as the clock ticked, but Elche’s defensive organization held firm for long stretches. In the later phases, Mendilibar attempted to alter the energy with fresh legs, introducing substitutions in an effort to reestablish control. Still, Elche maintained a stubborn shape, absorbing pressure and trying to strike on the break or on a well-worked set piece.

Late in the encounter, strategic moves from Beccacece saw Pere Milla and Ezequiel Ponce enter the fray, aiming to provide fresh impetus and different angles against Sevilla’s compact block. The substitutes offered new diagonal runs and link-ups with Morente and Boyé, though clear scoring chances remained scarce as the match wore on.

Elche displayed resilience in a finale that featured late exertions and a couple of dangerous crosses. A final push, led by Morente and supported by Nico and Josan, yielded another moment of danger that tested Dmitrovich and the visitors’ defense. Despite the fatigue, the home side held firm, securing a point in a game that promised more given the early setback and the numerical imbalance. The final colors of the evening left Sevilla somewhat more content with the draw, while Elche walked away with a sense of progress from a contest that tested their resolve and tactical nerve [Citation: MATÍAS SEGARRA].

DATA SHEET:

Elche: Edgar Badía, Josan (Lirola, min. 76), Bigas, John, Clerc; Nico Fernández (Álex Collado, min. 46), Gumbau, Fidel (Raúl Guti, min. 71), Tete Morente, Nteka (Pere Milla, min. 65), Boyé (Ponce, min. 65).

Sevilla: Dmitrovich; Navas (Montiel, min. 60), Badé, Rekik, Telles; Fernando (Rakitic, min. 60), Gueye, Lamela (Gudelj, min. 54), Ocampos, Acuña (Bryan Gil, min. 76), En-Nesyri (Rafa Mir, min. 76).

Results: Lamela 0-1, Morente 1-1. Referee: Díaz de Mera. Stadium: Martínez Valero, Elche. Attendance: 13,263.