Beccacece shows off her new Elche
Elche began the 2023/24 pre-season with a positive result, edging out England’s Rotherham United 1-0 in a friendly that served as the opening test of July. The match, played at the La Finca Resort facilities, marked the first leg of a short summer schedule under manager Sebastián Beccacece as the squad began to settle into the new campaign rhythm.
Beccacece and his staff used the outing not only to assess fitness and tactical integration but also to gauge early chemistry among players before the longer training camp in Elche. The game remained tightly contested throughout the 90 minutes, with Elche sealing victory in the second half thanks to a finish from Mourad, who struck in the 72nd minute after returning from a loan spell. The goal signaled an encouraging start for a young player eager to prove himself and secure a place in the 2023/24 squad after a season away on loan in Burgos.
Even though the opposition was a friendly, the result carried weight for the Elche supporters and the broader club community, delivering a welcome lift during the often slow summer phase. The win provided tangible proof that the squad could translate pre-season work into on-field impact, reinforcing confidence as the team began to build its identity for the upcoming campaign.
Beccacece opened the match with a starting lineup featuring San Román, Diego González, Eze Ponce, Raúl Guti, Pere Milla, Salinas, Álex Martín, Josan, Nico, Rodri, and Dídac. After the first half, the coach implemented a substantial reshuffle for the second half, fielding a largely new group that included Edgar Badia, Lautaro Blanco, Pedro Bigas, Mourad, Febas, Fidel, Clerc, and a few others in different positions. The tactical refresh aimed to sharpen understanding among players and test different formations ahead of the full-fledged season.
In the aftermath, attention shifted to assessing how this refreshed squad settled into Elche’s pressing style and into the offensive and defensive transitions that spice preseason matches. The management sought to identify combinations that could yield balance and potency as training sessions continued and as the calendar moved toward more competitive tests.
In the ball-rich environment of the early minutes, Mourad showed intent and technical quality, signaling readiness to contribute across the attack. Salinas also pressed high and looked to create, providing competitive energy that could translate into more consistent performances as the preseason progresses. The match allowed both players to demonstrate their readiness to push for roles in the squad, with the coaching staff keeping a keen eye on consistency and impact in increasingly demanding sessions.
Morente and John, down
Only Raúl Guti remained on the field much of the time among the original starting eleven, extending his outing to 80 minutes before being replaced by Mario. Tete Morente and John were held out as a precaution, their fitness monitored to avoid any setbacks that could hamper the early stages of the season. The precautionary approach underscored the careful management of players returning from minor issues, ensuring they reach the start of the league campaign in peak condition.
Following the match, Elche wrapped up the initial phase of the training camp in Algorfa. The squad would proceed with sessions at La Liga club facilities in Elche, shifting training venues from Martínez Valero to Ciudad Deportiva to replicate the environmental and climate conditions of match days. The upcoming friendly is scheduled for the next Saturday, against Cartagena, at the same venues used for this first test, offering another opportunity to refine tactics and lineups ahead of the season kickoff.
Across these early sessions, the coaching staff emphasized not only physical readiness but also the intangible aspects of team cohesion, such as on-field communication, quick decision-making under pressure, and the execution of Beccacece’s strategic principles. The collective effort is aimed at building a compact unit that can respond to both domestic and international challenges as the campaign approaches.