HE Elche CF began with intention and took control early. After an away victory on Saturday, Zaragoza sits on 14 points from the last 18 and waits to see what Espanyol does this Sunday, just a point shy of the promotion play-offs.
The Franjiverdes dominated for much of the game. They grabbed the lead in the first half without crafting a clear scoring chance, and in the second half they extended their advantage with a quick double, thanks to goals from Tete Morente and Óscar Plano.
Elche and Zaragoza: Two rivals chasing the same goal
Becoming visible in the result, Elche showed the progress they have been chasing under Beccacece. The team’s performance reflected a clear plan, with the coach emphasizing organization and intensity at both ends of the pitch.
The Elche coach made two mandatory changes from the previous match in Albacete. Raul Guti moved into a central role, with Nico Castro serving in the midfield, while Diego González replaced Pedro Bigas, a defender who was not at full readiness on the day.
From the opening minutes, both sides approached with caution. Escribá aimed to protect the back line and exploit quick counters against his former team. Attention was on Aleix Febas as the engine of Elche’s midfield as the game developed.
Elche controlled the opening period, looking to advance through the middle third and reach the final third with purpose. The first half saw Elche press forward, reach the higher flanks, and test the defense, yet the finishing touch remained elusive until the interval approached.
The home side built pressure with momentum and tested the goalkeeper on several occasions. A good cross from Josan found Óscar Plano in space near the six-yard box, but the effort was narrowly wide. Another notable moment saw Mario Gaspar delivering a dangerous ball that tumbled across the area with no final touch in front of goal.
As the first half ended, Elche pushed to break the deadlock but could not convert before the whistle.
The second half brought more domination for Elche. They started with intent and soon found the breakthrough in the 52nd minute thanks to a fine delivery from Josan. Óscar Plano benefited from the setup and finished decisively to put the hosts ahead.
The lead was extended in the 60th minute as Morente intercepted a ball, advanced through midfield, and found Guti on the left. Guti delivered a precise pass to Josan, who then fed Morente to steer the ball into the net. The Franjiverdes moved clear and kept the pressure high as Zaragoza tried to respond.
Zaragoza began the match with a foul that the referee reviewed with video assistance. The decision was confirmed as the score remained intact through the early minutes, and Morente added a second goal to seal the result after another quick build up on the right flank and a solid finish by Plano from close range.
The match proved intense with Beccacece guiding his players to maintain concentration and discipline at the back. Elche endured a late surge from Zaragoza and blocked several scoring attempts, keeping the clean sheet intact and solidifying their advantage on the scoreboard.
On several occasions, the visitors pressed high, but Elche answered with compact defense and quick counterattacks. Beccacece’s team managed to close the game with composure, signaling a positive step toward their stated objectives for the season.
Elche’s upward trajectory continued at the Valero stadium, where the home form has grown stronger. The win kept them in the hunt for promotion, with a strong performance implying improvement in both confidence and execution. The next day, Espanyol faced a tough test against Huesca in a match that could shape the final stretch of the season.
Beccacece: “We feed the dream”
Beccacece’s approach is reflected in the team’s consistency and the evident belief among players that they can compete at a higher level. The side continues to develop a recognizable game plan, focusing on compact defense, quick transitions, and precise finishing when opportunities arise.
Data highlights the depth of Elche’s squad, with several players contributing in attack and defense, while Zaragoza faced a tough test against a well-organized opponent. The tactical balance between defense and attack has become a defining trait of Elche in recent matches, aligning with the coach’s philosophy of discipline and belief.
Stadium atmosphere was electric, with thousands of supporters urging the team forward. The result reinforced Elche’s momentum and signaled a clear intent to press for another tier of competition in the league standings. The team remains focused on maintaining this level of performance as the season progresses.
The post-match analysis underscored Elche’s ability to convert chances and defend resilience when pressured. As the campaign unfolds, the club aims to translate this progress into a sustained push for promotion.
GOALS: 1-0 Morente, 2-0 Plano. STADIUM: Martínez Valero in front of a lively crowd.
The result leaves the standings tightly packed as the season enters its decisive phase, with promotion hopefuls watching closely as the next rounds unfold and teams try to cement their place in the upper echelons of the table.