The Elche CF coach, Sebastián Beccacece, spoke after the loss to Eibar, a setback that marked the team’s second defeat of the season. The Argentinian mentor expressed disappointment with the first 45 minutes, acknowledged the team’s response in the second period, and noted how the shot that sealed the result overshadowed a promising comeback. Despite growing pressure and chances, the late strike by the Basque side crushed any late revival.
“The first half didn’t unfold as we planned, especially in terms of recovering the ball. We adjusted some things at halftime, and that shift showed in the intent we carried into the second half. We moved well with quick play after the hydration break, but their sole shot in the second half came and they scored from it, making it 2-1. We lost a game in the second half that we fought to level and even take the lead in moments. The coach of the green-and-white side must work on those areas at the end of the match and correct the mistakes from the first half,” he stated.
Elche won’t start
Beccacece emphasized that the tempo of the opening period did not meet expectations. He noted that the team’s energy dipped in the first half and that rebuilding momentum in the second was essential, even as the result remained unfavorable. The coach highlighted that creating chances but not converting them allowed the opponent to seize the initiative with a decisive moment from outside the box, a turning point in the match.
The Argentinian coach also reflected on the three goals conceded in the opening days, stressing that Elche frequently found themselves chasing the score. He urged the squad to escape this pattern and chase control from the start. He remarked that the team must keep fighting until the final whistle and cultivate a persistence mentality to reverse difficult situations. He pointed to the second half as proof that effort and cohesion can shift the game, even when the first half left room for improvement.
Beccacece praised Nico Castro for stepping in and contributing positively, noting how the team’s depth improved as the game progressed. He mentioned minutes given to Cristian Salvador and Óscar Plano as part of a growing squad dynamic. He reminded that the first-half performance was a contrast to the better moments seen earlier in the season against Racing de Ferrol, where defensive solidity and smart transitions had yielded positive results. Against Eibar, the opening goal from a corner kick and the subsequent lapse in concentration reignited doubts, but the coach insisted that the players have the capacity to adjust and execute the plan developed in the second half.
Beccace emphasized the consistency of the message: perseverance, relentless pursuit, and belief in hard work. He urged the squad to continue insisting, to remain resilient, and to learn from both the brighter moments and the ones that require improvement. The emphasis was on maintaining the fight, staying in touch with the game, and pushing for a regular, more reliable performance across matches. The coach also noted the favorable moments from earlier preparation and pointed to the need to carry those lessons into every game, striving to reverse unfavorable results through a disciplined, competitive approach.
Finally, Beccace stressed that he keeps guiding his players toward the same line of effort that defined their preseason and recent training blocks. The aim is clear: a competitive identity that endures through different circumstances, no matter what unfolds on the field. The focus remains on building a team that can stay alive in every contest, with a shared sense of purpose and continuous improvement.