Elche CF will host Osasuna on the 28th matchday of LaLiga Santander, with kickoff set for 2:00 PM local time at the stadium. The teams arrive at this fixture following Osasuna’s recent appearance in the King’s Cup final, a milestone that adds extra energy to the atmosphere of the day.
The opening clash against Barcelona provided Elche with fresh evaluation. Beccacece, the club’s head coach, experimented with tactical shapes and personnel, a habit he has carried into the current campaign. In a notable shift, the Argentine manager deployed a 4-4-2 formation, returning Omar Mascarell to his natural midfield role and giving Lucas Boyé a prominent attacking position after serving a suspension. The attackers aligned with San Gregorio’s forward style, while Father Milla was chosen to spearhead the frontline. An important development was the inclusion of a youngster in the starting lineup. John Chetauya featured in central defense, marking his comeback after nearly four months away due to a fibula fracture suffered in a Qatar friendly against Leeds United during the World Cup break. His return signifies Elche’s trust in homegrown talent and the coaching staff’s willingness to blend youth with experience.
Elche seeks joy against a celebrating Osasuna
Elche’s strategy for the upcoming game focuses on stabilizing the defense while pressing high when opportunities arise. The squad has shown resilience through a demanding schedule, and the coaching staff emphasizes collective effort over reliance on any single player. The preparation period has included conditioning work, tactical drills, and simulations designed to sharpen pressing triggers and transition play. The aim is to convert training momentum into results on match day, delivering a performance that secures a positive result for the home supporters. The coaching team has stressed balance between defending compactly and exploiting quick breaks when the moment is right. In this context, the team will lean on a solid back line, with center-backs coordinating communication and width provided by the full-backs in support of midfield pivots.
Lautaro White is expected to start as a substitute for Carmona, who is currently sidelined with an injury. The squad did not feature Inteka Pape Cheikh in the final selection after his return from a suspension cycle, underscoring the depth and rotation options available to the coach. The dynamic in midfield will be influenced by Mascarll and Gumbau, who bring texture to the team’s build-up and ball distribution. The wide players are anticipated to provide width and creativity, creating space for the central runners to exploit gaps in the Osasuna defensive line. The tactical plan also considers tempo management, with Elche seeking to control phases of the game while remaining dangerous on the counter when Osasuna presses higher up the pitch.
From Osasuna’s perspective, the starting XI featured Áitor Fernández in goal, with a back four consisting of Nacho Vidal, Unai García, David García, and Manu Sánchez. The double pivot was anchored by Pablo Ibáñez and Darko Brasanac, while Moi Gómez and Kike Barja operated on the flanks behind the strike pairing of Abde and Budimir. On the substitutes bench, the coach had options including Sergio Herrera, Moncayola, Rubén Peña, Kike García, Aimar, Herrando, IB Sánchez, and Iker Moreno. The absence of Aridane and Chimy Ávila from the match-day squad added a note of potential reshuffle for future fixtures, highlighting the ongoing squad management as the season progresses. This setup signals a balanced approach: Osasuna will look to control the central region of the park, press high when Elche attempts to build from the back, and exploit wide areas through the pace of their attackers even as they safeguard against counters. The tactical duel promises a competitive, tightly contested afternoon on the field. This report draws from the club’s official communications and match-day notes, which provide a clear view of both teams’ plans ahead of kickoff. [source: club press materials]