Elche CF is set to learn its Copa del Rey opponent in the upcoming Tuesday draw, as the 32nd round unfolds with a potential Primera Division challenger waiting in the wings.
Having eliminated Linares and earlier rounds against smaller rivals, the Franjiverde squad now eyes a match against a top-tier side. The draw will determine who travels to the Martinez Valero stadium for a single knockout clash, slated for the January 5th to 7th weekend, with enthusiastic support from the home crowd.
Elche eliminates Linares and targets leadership in the Cup
The draw will take place at one o’clock in the afternoon in the Luis Aragonés hall of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, at Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas. The Elche adversary could come from a list including Alavés, Athletic Club Bilbao, Betis, Celta, Real Sociedad, Getafe, Girona, Las Palmas, Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, Valencia, or Villarreal. Each pairing carries unique conditions, and Elche fans are hopeful for a single-match tie at Martínez Valero, with home-field advantage for teams from lower divisions.
Cup offer a festive surprise for Elche
With 32 teams remaining in the tournament, the field includes Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Osasuna, and others who have secured byes or progressed through earlier rounds. The winner of the second RFEF bracket will rise as a standout, while clubs like Castellón, Lugo, Malaga, and Salamanca from the First RFEF will clash with a pair of teams from the top tier or the remaining group contenders. Nine Second Division clubs, including Elche, Amorebieta, Burgos, Cartagena, Espanyol, Racing de Ferrol, Huesca, and Tenerife, will each face an opponent from higher divisions. A draw will also pit two first-division teams against each other in a separate pairing. [RFEF]
Additionally, a complete listing shows the surviving teams in the Copa del Rey. The event signals the first game of 2024 for many, with the league schedule taking a pause while the King’s Cup action takes center stage. The club’s technical staff emphasizes a calm approach to the draw, ready to embrace any opponent with collective focus.
The Elche coach underscored the importance of patience: the draw acts as a signal for the team to consolidate its position and to strengthen connections with the public and the city. Hosting a Primera Division side remains a compelling challenge, just as traveling to smaller venues can provide valuable experiences. The coach added that the best stance is to prepare thoroughly and remain flexible, watching the draw together with players and staff so everyone shares the same anticipation. The upcoming clash is described as the first competitive match of the year, a moment to relish at the Martinez Valero without undue pressure, simply ready to compete at the highest level. [RFEF]