Beccacece: A Fresh Start for Elche CF and Strategic Shifts on Display
There was an expectation to see tactical trends and the arguments that proved effective. Beccacece, the new coach of Elche CF, sat on the bench for the first time with the franciverde and quietly sketched the early lines of a system he wanted to implement. He also acknowledged that pieces were missing to fully realize his footballing plan.
Leading Barcelona was a tough test. Beccacece has many games ahead this season, up to eleven, with changes planned throughout the entire pre-season. Relegation felt distant, yet Elche aimed to start the next campaign as a clear favorite to climb back to the elite of Spanish football. There is time, but it also demands hard work and steady progress.
The Argentine coach, aside from a 15-minute window from the 55th to the 70th minute where goals arrived for Ansu Fati, Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, appeared satisfied with the team’s play. He stated that what was shown at the end of the match represented the starting point for his mission in Elche.
DEFENSE AXIS
Defensive structure became a focal point. The squad featured five players in the backline and rotation to facilitate ball release and movement. Helibelton Palacios often took a right-back role while Beccacece placed Omar Mascarell in central defense alongside Pedro Bigas. The left center-back came from different legs, underscoring a deliberate approach to smoother long passes when opponents press high. Mascarell stood out despite conceding four goals, with Bigas performing solidly. The plan will be tested again in forthcoming matches against Barça as the coach refines his approach.
Beccacece praised the players after the Barcelona clash.
SIDES
The team displayed a deep left channel and a more contested right flank as defense evolved. The question then became how Machín would deploy his defense, perhaps three at the back with two wing-backs, or a four-man line-up that he has used for much of his career. In the opening changes, a four-man defense was used, but Barcelona’s attacks forced adjustments. The left-sided Lautaro Blanco slid inward to cover Ferrán Torres and Carlos Clerc, helping to shield Lewandowski and Ansu Fati. He later moved to the third-back position on the left, assisting Mascarell and Bigas. This shift pushed Palacios back to his natural right-back position and limited Jordi Alba’s forays forward. Beccacece had already suggested a preference for a deeper, more compact defensive line.
MIDDLE FIELD
Spin Carmona, Gumbau and Fidel operated with notable freedom. One of Beccacece’s focal ideas is to apply intense pressing and disrupt opponents early, forcing errors. He values a compact shape and frequent ball exchanges to safeguard space, encouraging swift positional swaps. The plan included alternate players on the wings, with Tete Morente and Josan featuring on the left and right flanks, creating options for quick counterplay. The early setup kept the midfield organized while seeking quick transitions to exploit gaps when Barcelona pressed high.
Remarkably, Carmona was deployed as a defensive pivot. The coach looked to leverage Sevillian ball distribution while using Carmona’s pace to probe gaps in the opponent’s lines. The move carried risks, but it underscored Beccacece’s willingness to experiment with roles for balance in midfield. Gumbau and Fidel were given substantial freedom to move, support defense, and trigger quick countertacks. Gumbau’s ball control and Fidel’s mobility enabled concise coverage and dynamic shifts that could trouble stronger teams.
With Sevilla’s injury, the question turns to who will shoulder the organizing responsibility in midfield as the season progresses. The depth chart is still forming, and adjustments will determine how the team can sustain pressure on opponents while maintaining solidity in front of the backline.
PAREL LOFT
Pere Milla remained the principal forward during the absence of Lucas Boyé, who faced sanctions. Milla operated as the sole striker in most moments, pressing high and supporting teammates across the front lines. He dropped deep to defend and helped disrupt Barcelona’s build-up. The next matches will reveal whether Elche leans toward one striker or experiments with a two-forward arrangement. Upcoming opponents, Osasuna and Girona, lack Barça’s expansive threat, suggesting Elche could benefit from counter-attacking opportunities and wider spacing to exploit the visitors’ vulnerabilities.
The team’s approach signals a clear intent: a compact defense, a flexible but disciplined midfield, and a front line ready to capitalize on quick transitions and space creation. As Beccacece shapes his philosophy across the season, Elche fans can expect a brand of football that emphasizes ball release timing, coordinated pressing, and adaptive positioning to maximize counter-attacking chances.
Further iterations will determine how the new coach balances risk and reward, how he integrates new players into a cohesive system, and how Elche evolves from a squad with potential into one capable of climbing back into Spain’s top tier.