Education
Sebastián Beccacece presented a mid-term plan for Elche that faces serious challenges, noting that the goal is not merely to fit into the team but to redefine how the squad operates. He emphasized that regaining the players’ confidence and reputation would be the first order of business. This squad has managed to stay in the division for two consecutive years, and restoring that memory will require steady, calm leadership and patient work with the players.
With these opening premises, the coach indicated that the current game system is not the main concern, nor is a quick, jarring change. The approach will unfold gradually throughout the season, building on the work already begun under Pablo Machín in the last days. Elche is likely to continue with a defensive setup that features three central defenders and two wingers, a shape that offers balance as the squad adapts.
Beccacece tests the team with four missing and young players from Elche CF
VL Deltel
central carmona
One clear signal that Beccacece might start Elche with a five-man back line is the way José Ángel Carmona, typically a winger, was asked to adapt to a midfield or defensive role during training. The right flank also saw adjustments as players experimented with different responsibilities in the back line.
The training ground at Díez Iborra served as the setting for this evolution. Beccacece has previously favored a mix of defensive formations, sometimes lining up with four defenders in front of the keeper and alternately using a 1-4-4-2 or 1-4-3-3. He recognizes the task ahead and acknowledges the limited time available to implement changes. He enjoys the trust of club owner Christian Bragarnik, who envisions Beccacece steering Elche toward stability in Spanish football and ensuring that the players who will stay next season are prepared for it.
system
According to early indications, Beccacece’s team could lean toward a flexible five-defender setup, with the possibility of transitions to a three-center-back arrangement depending on the moment. He did not spell out every detail in his private briefing, but his public comments were clear: the concept centers on time and space, with players capable of morphing the formation as the game requires. The aim is a coherent, reliable unit that can manifest a clear game plan and identity, adapting to different moments and opponents while maintaining organization.
Analysts will watch closely as Beccacece navigates his first period in charge. The upcoming Saturday match against FC Barcelona will be telling, yet the strength of the opponent will not automatically reveal the system’s long-term path. He is expected to sustain or vary the chosen approach through the season, similar to predecessors who used the three-center-back formation at times. Francico, for instance, employed it sparingly, though Machín and Almirón had already leaned on similar defensive structures.
In the single practice session at Díez Iborra, Beccacece lined up Verdú, Bigas, and González on one flank with John, Álvaro, and Carmona on the other. The return of Magallán, Palacios, and Enzo Roco remains a consideration for future lineups as Beccacece continues refining the squad.
technical staff
The Elche coach described his colleagues and the wider team involved in the project. He thanked everyone for welcoming him and the staff, acknowledging the opportunity to lead Elche into a new era. The first person highlighted was Martin Bressan, described as a highly capable physical trainer whose expertise in physiology and methodological organization stands out. Bressan has been part of the coaching setup in Peru since 2003 and brings a wealth of experience to the club.
Beccacece then introduced Guillermo Marino, the assistant coach. Marino has a long-standing professional relationship with Beccacece, dating back to the Universidad de Chile and Argentina’s national setup. Their collaboration began in 2018 at Defensa y Justicia, continuing to shape their approach as they work with Elche this season.
Lastly, Beccacece spoke of the trusted physical therapist, Jose Ernest Amador. He highlighted the close bond between the coaching staff and the club’s health services. Born in Cuba, Amador has previously worked with Emelec in Ecuador and has accompanied the team since 2010. The group functions like a family, and Beccacece emphasized the sense of unity that matters most in this transition.