Elche CF returned to the training ground this Monday after a tough setback, fresh from a defeat that forced the squad to rethink its approach. The loss to Cartagena stung, and the group fielded ideas to avoid a repeat. Attention now shifts to the next test, a Friday evening clash at the Carlos Tartiere stadium against Oviedo, with kickoff scheduled for 20:30. The team’s objective remains clear: to climb the standings and close the gap to the playoff places, leveraging every remaining game to build momentum heading into the winter break.
Elche apologizes to supporters after Cartagena setback
The mission for Elche is to maximize points in every match. With only two fixtures left before the Christmas recess and the first round nearing its end, the squad faces a decisive task against the Asturians, followed by a trip to Valero on Tuesday, December 19 at 21:30 to face Mirandés. The emphasis is on finishing the year on a strong note.
Elche faced a painful missed opportunity to break into the playoff positions earlier in the campaign. Following the day’s results and the absence of the Tenerfe-Alcorcón game, the gap narrowed but remained substantial. Among the top six, only Valladolid managed to secure victory, underscoring how tightly packed the table remains and how crucial each result is for Elche’s ambitions.
Elche’s campaign has featured a mix of resilience and missed chances, a pattern that the squad aims to overturn in the closing weeks of the year. The players know that consistency is the key to turning potential into points, and the support from supporters will be a vital boost as the schedule becomes more demanding.
Elche faces a high-stakes run… with pressure mounting
The league leaders were in action as Leganés drew 1-1 with Eldense at home, maintaining a close chase at the summit. The Valladolid group held second place and secured a 2-1 win against Amorebieta, while Sporting de Gijón settled for a goalless draw at Molinón-Enrique Castro Quini against Levante. Real Zaragoza earned a point in a tight encounter, and Eibar drew 2-2 with Andorra in Ipurúa. Huesca slipped to a 0-1 home defeat against Racing de Ferrol. These results kept the battle at the top fiercely competitive and left Elche needing to defend well and seize opportunities when they arise on the road ahead.
As a consequence, Elche slipped to eighth in the table with 29 points, closing the gap to the playoff zone but still trailing the direct promotion spots held by Leganés and Valladolid. The path remains long with 23 rounds to go and a broad margin of points up for grabs. The challenge is steep, but the team’s recent form hints at potential for a late surge as the campaign unfolds, especially if they can carry forward the positives from their recent performances.
There remains a belief that steady, constructive play can lift the side into the upper tier of the table by season’s end. The squad’s focus is on building momentum game by game, with a sense that the best football can still come in the weeks ahead.
The defeats and tight fixtures have sharpened the narratives around the season. Fans and analysts alike are watching how Elche adapts to the demands of a congested schedule while aiming for a place among the nation’s top teams. The next rounds will test depth, character, and tactical flexibility, all of which the squad seeks to showcase in pursuit of a stronger finish.
CHAPTER TWO LALIGA HYPERMOTION CLASSIFICATION:
1-Leganes 37
2-Valladolid 35
3-Sporting de Gijón 33
4-Espanyol 32
5-Eibar 31
6-Ferrol Racing 31
7-Santander Race 29
8-ELCHE 29
9-Lifting 28
10-Tenerife 27
11-Oviedo 26
12-Zaragossa 26
13-Burgos 26
14-Mirandes 24
15-Albacete 24
16-24 rather than hand
17-Andorra 22
18-Villarreal B 20
19-Huesca 19
20-Cartagena 15
21-Amorebieta 14
22-Alcorcon 14