Carmona: “I wanted to be part of the team that saved Elche”
Last-placed Elche CF faces off against Cádiz CF, the previous-to-last side, at New Mirandilla tonight. The match kicks off at 21:00, available on Movistar. This is an essential showdown for Green-Franjiverdes, who see the fixture as one of their last chances to cling to survival in La Liga. A win would pull them within striking distance of safety, while a loss would push them closer to the brink of relegation.
A victory could have closed the gap to ten points over Green-Franjiverdes, but the defeat leaves Elche with little room for error and with their season hanging in the balance.
Elche has let several opportunities slip away, and the current form has them in a precarious position. Two recent signings, Lisandro Magallán and José Ángel Carmona, offer fresh competition and energy in the squad as the team battles to reverse a troubling trend and stop the bleeding.
Cadiz, who sit near the bottom as well, are looking to salvage something from their recent run of results. The team managed a solid stretch with a draw at home, followed by a win at Almería and a victory at Mestalla in recent fixtures. A win for Sergio González would lift them from relegation zones, potentially climbing several places in the standings.
The Green-Greens have yet to secure a victory, and they know a failure to win against the penultimate team would deepen the concerns surrounding their campaign.
The prognosis is tough, but as Carmona noted, hope remains as long as there is life. Mathematical projections offer a sliver of optimism, and even a narrow triumph could end a damaging streak and reshape the outlook.
Machín and his players understand that the last bus runs through the Tacita de Plata and they want to be aboard. The Elche coach is rallying the squad and believes in gathering every available resource to turn the season around. Since taking charge, he has worked to strengthen the defense and inject energy into the attack.
The latest arrivals, Magallán and Carmona, join returning veterans Gonzalo Verdú and Domingos Quina, who are back after suspensions, adding depth and experience to the lineup. The Argentine defender and right-back, capable of playing along the back line or in midfield, is on loan from Sevilla and could be a starting option.
The tactical question revolves around how to align the defense. Whether the young Sevilla loanee will operate on the right wing or in a back three, and whether Verdú will stay on the left side alongside Carlos Clerc and Lautaro Blanco, remains to be seen.
Pol Lirola also returns amid speculation about a possible move away. After nearly two months out with injury, the winger-fullback appears unlikely to depart in the short term.
The rest of the squad presents a mix of established names and new possibilities. If Machín does not unleash an ace, other players will need to step up. Omar Mascarell has been solid, a key component in the double pivot, with Raul Guti providing additional defensive cover. Up front, Lucas Boyé, Roger, and Milla bring effort and experience, though their best form has not yet fully returned.
Machín remains focused on a two-way improvement: improving performances in both defense and attack. The message is clear—success in both areas is essential if Elche hopes to cling to life in La Liga. The coach’s plan is to ride the wave of momentum, seize opportunities, and keep faith in the process as the season reaches its final stages.
Elche’s formation and selections will be watched closely as the team approaches a critical stretch. The aim is to stabilize at the back while allowing the forwards to create and convert chances. The coaching staff’s emphasis on organization and resilience reflects a broader strategy to maximize points from remaining fixtures and avoid the specter of relegation.
Green Franjiversdes face a daunting task, but the fixture presents a chance to flip the narrative. Cádiz must win to ease pressure, and with both sides hungry, the clash promises intensity and a clear intent to seize crucial points. The result could redefine the mood around Elche’s campaign and determine how the next chapter of the season unfolds.
As fans hope for a breakthrough, the focus remains on collective effort, tactical discipline, and a belief that the season can still be saved with a breakthrough performance at New Mirandilla. The upcoming minutes will reveal whether Elche can finally grab that coveted victory that reopens the door to survival.
At stake is more than three points. It is pride, persistence, and the belief that a season can be rescued with a single, decisive win. The dramatic spectacle of a relegation battle continues to captivate supporters as the teams fight for their place in Spain’s top league, leaving everything on the field as the clock ticks down.