Following a tough 0-1 loss in the league opener against Racing de Ferrol, Elche CF’s coaching staff, led by Sebastián Beccacece, opted for a short rest period. They scheduled a surprise break that extended into Sunday night and the early hours of the following morning, a time traditionally reserved for recovery when a team wants to bounce back quickly. The night, known locally as the “Nit de L’Alba,” disrupted normal sleep patterns, compelling players to awaken early for an additional training session on Monday.
To prioritize recovery, Beccacece and his assistants postponed the team’s return to work until Monday afternoon. This pause aimed to help the squad regain physical and mental freshness after the Saturday exertion, resetting their trajectory for the next challenge.
Elche’s players gathered at the Franjiverde training complex, specifically the Juan Ángel Romero Sports City at the Díez Iborra pitch, for a renewed training session on Monday afternoon. In the session, the group and the technical staff reviewed the mistakes from the Ferrol clash, and then focused on building a collective mindset to move forward. Their next assignment arrives on Saturday at 5 pm, a visit to Eibar at Ipurúa stadium. The Basque side had also endured a heavy setback in the season’s opener, losing 4-0 to Racing de Santander at Campos de Esport de El Sardinero, signaling that both teams enter the second round facing urgent needs to arrest negative trends and reassert themselves as early contenders.
Even though it’s just the second matchday, the upcoming fixture carries significant pressure for both sides—an early test of character that could shape the pace of the campaign.
Players on the Elche roster acknowledge the opportunity presented by the match in Eibar. A positive result could pave the way for an initial three points, help erase the memory of the Ferrol defeat, and restore confidence among supporters. The mood around the Valero stadium reflected this cautious optimism, even as some fans wrestled with the disappointment of opening-day failure.
Securing a win away from home would also allow Elche to climb the early-season table and publicly reaffirm their status as a competitive outfit. Eibar, directly chasing their own crisis-management phase, would face a test of resilience against a squad determined to prove its mettle.
Edgar Badía, the team’s captain and goalkeeper, used social media to reassure supporters in the wake of the Ferrol match, echoing a broader message of calm and unity among the squad. His remarks followed a similar tone from teammate Alex Feba, who insisted that the setback should be treated as a learning moment and a catalyst for growth. The shared sentiment among the leadership group is to maintain composure while executing Beccacece’s tactical plan, with attention to defensive solidity and a sharper attack in forthcoming fixtures. This stance is consistent with the club’s long-term approach to building cohesion and resilience in the squad.
Áleix Febas, speaking in a public message, voiced a pragmatic outlook: the team must stay calm, work with responsibility, and learn from early mistakes. His remarks underscored the collective belief that the season had only just begun and that progress would come from steady, disciplined improvement rather than quick-fix solutions.
Beccacece is prepared to field largely the same squad that appeared in the Ferrol clash for Saturday’s encounter. The absence of injuries in that match is a favorable sign, although typical early-season niggles and minor discomforts are part of the growing pains for a squad still adapting to a demanding schedule. A notable personnel development involves Pere Milla, who appears set to depart for Espanyol, a transfer move that could alter Elche’s attacking dynamics as the season progresses.
In parallel, Pere Milla’s absence continues to shape the forward line, with Pere Milla not participating in some training sessions as the club manages the ongoing transition. John Chetauya remains in rehabilitation from fibular surgery and is not expected to return until November, while Mario Gaspar will require a further week of preparation. Oscar Duarte and Nico Castro, who played late last Saturday, will also need additional time to adapt to Beccacece’s tactical ideas and integrate with the rest of the squad as the season unfolds.
Elche’s broader objective remains clear: collect points early to build a foundation for the campaign, maintain competitiveness in away contests, and steadily develop a cohesive footballing identity under Beccacece’s guidance. As the team prepares for the Eibar clash, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how the group responds to the initial alarms of the season and whether they can translate effort into results on the road. [Source: Elche CF internal communications and post-match briefings]
Áleix Febas: “We Lost the First Day with Mallorca and Then We Recovered”
JA Galvanized
“Now is the time to stay calm, work with maximum responsibility and learn from mistakes made to grow as a team. This has only just begun.”
Beccacece and his staff are weighing a consistent lineup for the next league game, keeping faith with the players who started the Ferrol encounter. The Saturday fixture is anticipated to test the squad’s resilience, offering a platform to respond to the opening setback with a strong performance on the road.
Saturday’s match had no injuries, yet it carried the usual early-season discomforts as teams adjust to football’s tempo and tactical demands. Father Milla and John—two names linked with the club’s broader squad—were part of the discussion around squad balance, with Pere Milla’s potential departure looming as a strategic consideration for the season ahead.
Pere Milla did not attend Elche training and went to Espanyol
JA Galvanized
John Chetauya continues his rehabilitation for fibula surgery and is not expected back until November. The rest of the squad will be ready to face Eibar, while Mario Gasper will require another week of preparation. Oscar Duarte and Nico Castro, who featured late in the Ferrol clash, will need more time to align with the coach’s philosophy and the club’s evolving tactical approach.
Overall, Elche’s leadership remains committed to turning the early setback into a catalyst for growth. The balance between patience and urgency will define how quickly the team can reestablish itself as a competitive force in the league, especially on the road against a spirited Eibar side. The coming weeks will reveal whether the squad can translate training-ground ideas into match-day execution and secure an encouraging improvement in results.