Valencia had what he needed most. In the end, he prevailed. The visitors found little resistance from a non-working Elche, who never tested Mamardashvili and barely threatened the goal throughout the match.
A goal emerged from a defensive lapse in the 18th minute, followed by an own goal by Gonzalo Verdú at halftime; the play was set in motion by Pipo Baraja’s lineup in the first half. In the second period, the Frangiverdes showed more control as Valencia fell back to defend the result, yet their possession produced no dangerous chances.
Beccacece reshaped the system, making three changes from the previous game in Girona. He opted for three central defenders and two wingers for the first time. Gonzalo was the principal change in the starting eleven, pairing alongside Mascarell in central defense with Pedro Bigas. Tete Morente and Carlos Clerc started as wingers, with John pivoting in midfield next to Fidel and Rau Guti, who replaced those suspended. Gumbau, Father Milla, and Lucas Boyé kept their offensive partnership.
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Match started with nerves and tension, underscoring the need to win, especially for Valencia. Around five thousand fans filled Mestalla. Baraja’s side began with intent. Nico González struck the crossbar with a header, quickly followed by Diakhaby’s clearance for a corner. Those moments energized the visitors.
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Pedro Bigas had to be carried off on a stretcher in the 17th minute. Lautaro Blanco then pushed Clerc into the center. This shift unsettled the Frangiverde defense. Moments later, after a shot from the area, Mamardashvili parried Cavani’s jump, Mascarell was knocked down, and Fidel could not reach the Brazilian who finished past Badia for the opening goal (0-1).
Elche looked bereft and out of ideas on the turf. John narrowly avoided an own goal as Edgar Badia produced a superb stop with his foot to deny a dangerous chance that fell to Lino.
The visitors’ only real threat on Valencia’s side came in the 38th minute when a cross from Lautaro Blanco found Fidel, but the header failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Valencia doubled the lead on the cusp of halftime. Verdú diverted a left-wing cross into his own net, making it 0-2 and effectively sealing the match.
With halftime decisions behind them, Beccacece rotated, signaling two goals down and opting to preserve the defense of three central players. Dam chose to switch focus, letting Elche push higher up the pitch and seek control, though the chances never materialized. The Franjiverde coach also looked to reshuffle, bringing on Josan in place of Raúl Guti and Pere Milla, while Alex Collado and Nico Fernández joined later to cover for the suspended players. Josan occupied the right flank instead of Morente as the game wore on.
All attempts to spark a comeback were in vain, and Valencia sealed three points with little effort. Elche remained stranded on the game’s surface, continuing their slide toward the relegation danger zone, while Beccacece endured his fourth consecutive defeat in his fourth game on the bench for Franjiverde.
DATA SHEET:
Elche: Edgar Badia, Gonzalo Verdú (Roco, m. 46), Mascarell, Pedro Bigas (Lautaro Blanco, m. 17), Clerc, John, Fidel, Raúl Guti (Álex Collado, m. 64), Tete Morente (Josan, m. 78), Pere Milla (Nico Fernández, m. 64) and Lucas Boyé.
VALENCIA: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Diakhaby (Comert, m. 90), Gabriel Paulista, Cenk, Gayá, Nico González (Javi Guerra, m. 46), Musah (Diego López, m. 79), Almeida, Lino (Lato, m. 72) and Cavani (Alberto Marí, art. 72)
TARGETS: 0-1m. 18, Linen. 0-2m. 42, Gonzalo Verdú, own-goal.
JUDGE: Cuadra Fernández from the Madrid school. He showed yellow cards to Musah (m. 14), John (m. 47), Roco (m.62) and Clerc (m. 84).
STADIUM: Martínez Valero in front of 22,129 spectators.