Elche CF faces a tough test as La Liga restarts against Rayo Vallecano
Elche CF has room to grow as La Liga resumes with a Monday night clash against Rayo Vallecano at 9:00 pm. One key area is stopping the goals conceded early in the season. The head coach from Almería, Francisco, faces a tactical dilemma: should he continue with three central defenders, as he did in the opening matches against Betis and, more recently, Barcelona; or revert to the traditional four-man back line used at the start of the campaign?
The coaching staff is actively seeking a solution, but injuries, suspensions, and players still finding their best form have complicated the squad’s development in the early rounds. The team has fought through a difficult start, with many players briefly stepping up and proving their effort even when the results didn’t follow.
Francisco initially favored a three-man defense. That approach marked the end of the previous season and the opening game against Betis, but it broke down at Benito Villamarín. The youth-influenced trio in the center, with Enzo Roco and Pedro Bigas supported by Helibelton Palacios and Mojica on the flanks, struggled as the minutes ticked by. When a shortage of players emerged by the 15th minute, the coach had to switch to a more conventional back line of four, reinforced by a balance of midfielders and a lone forward.
In the home opener at Martínez Valero, facing a direct rival like Almería, the Franciverde coach decided to take the initiative and lined up with four defenders. Roco and Bigas formed the central axis, Pol Lirola and Mojica provided width on the flanks, and Roger and Ponce partnered up front. Elche carried the tempo and, while the result was a draw, both Roco and Bigas showed notable improvement compared with the Betis clash.
That defensive push allowed the same starting XI to line up for the third match against Real Sociedad. The Basque side, better equipped in attack, complicated Elche’s defensive work and created several chances, testing the Franjiverdes’ resolve.
The fourth round delivered a brutal lesson against Villarreal. The yellow submarine exposed weaknesses and forced Francisco to rethink. With Lirola injured and Mojica transferred out, Palacios and Clerc were drafted into the lineup and the center-back pairing remained Roco and Bigas. The new arrangement yielded another heavy defeat, reinforcing the sense that a stable system was still elusive.
Francisco continued to shuffle the squad as he faced Athletic Bilbao. Lirola moved to the right and Nico Fernández Mercau made his debut to curb the pace of the Basque wingers, but the results remained poor with a 1-4 defeat and a defense that was repeatedly exposed.
After a challenging evening at Camp Nou against Barcelona, the coach contemplated returning to a back three. Gonzalo Verdú, who had been unavailable due to injury earlier in the campaign, returned to the lineup alongside John Chetauya and Bigas. Yet, domination in the opening minutes unravelled when the captain was sent off, forcing Elche to revert to a four-man defense with ten players behind the ball.
Despite the grim start, Elche endured several difficult moments, even with ten players. Francisco emphasized the collective sacrifice, intensity, and physical effort of his squad, which helped avoid a catastrophic scoreline against a much stronger opponent. The team then pressed on with a focus on defensive safety and balance as they prepared for the next challenge.
At present, the coach from Almería is spending time reflecting on the best system in the face of ongoing injuries and suspensions. The aim is to secure a consistent defensive foundation while the squad deals with a limited number of available central defenders during a demanding schedule.
Injuries and suspensions
Francisco and his staff have hinted that team selection will hinge on player availability. The current injury situation makes every decision delicate, with several of the six center-backs carrying issues that could influence lineup choices. Verdú will miss Vallecas through suspension. Bigas and Diego González are managing muscle problems and, while expected to be fit for the Rayo match, are not at full strength. Enzo Roco, after a string of errors, has faced a dip in confidence and began the season as a substitute; his influence on the defense remains a topic of ongoing assessment.
Additionally, Fede Fernández, the only squad member yet to feature minutes after the transfer window closed, arrived with expectations but left training with a calf issue. At this moment, John Chetauya stands as the only young defender in good condition, which could intensify Francisco’s considerations when deciding on a defensive setup.
The team is on a break today. On Thursday, when training resumes, the coach will have clearer data on players’ physical status. Depending on how everyone feels, the plan may be to finish the match with three central defenders or return to a four-man back line. The final decision will likely come on Monday as the squad prepares for the game against Rayo Vallecano.
The team has a holiday today. Tomorrow, Thursday, when he returns to training, the coach of Almería will have more and better data on the physical condition of the players with the disease. And depending on how they feel, they can choose a defense with three central defenders and try to finish a match with this tactical system or come back to the line of four. The mystery won’t be solved until Monday. Attribution: club press materials.