Discreet and erratic start to the season for Elche CF. The team showed struggles in both attack and defense, facing injuries and suspensions that tested its depth. The squad dealt with a tough run of conditions, including player withdrawals and health issues, as the Franjiverde were pressed early in the campaign.
Elche missed a goal in regulation twice on the field last Sunday. Mario Gaspar received a red card in the 59th minute during the match in Valladolid, while Carlos Clerc faced a similar setback in the 75th minute the day before. This sequence amplified the team’s challenges and forced adjustments in the back line and midfield as the matches progressed.
In the latest developments, Borja Garcés appeared in the squad at Jose Zorrilla, while Christian Salvador, before the third match against Villareal B, had to retire after more than 30 minutes due to an injury, compelling Sebastián Beccacece to rethink the lineup and system.
The early difficulties began even before the competitive slate. Young defender John Chetauya, who has become a regular in Elche’s defensive setup since Beccacece’s arrival, suffered a fibula injury that required surgery on July 19. He is not expected back until late October or early November, a setback that has forced a reshuffle of defensive roles for the team.
Beccacece initially praised the pre-season performance, noting that injuries had spared the squad except for John, whose problem disrupted the good harmony built in training. The first two league fixtures, against Racing de Ferrol and Eibar, saw two defeats but no major injury woes or suspensions affecting the squad right away.
From the third round onward, issues began to tighten. In the Villarreal B game, Cristian Salvador left the field in the 37th minute due to a posterior tibial muscle issue, and Zamorano faced a suspension as he missed the next fixture against Santander Racing with a minor setback in the midfield line.
Around that same period, Álex Martín and Diego González also suffered muscle problems, keeping them from participating in important sessions as the team prepared for upcoming clashes. The situation intensified when, in the 75th minute of a recent match, Carlos Clerc was sent off after a controversial challenge on a Racing de Santander attacker. The incident left Elche with ten men for the final stretch as they chased a result.
The bad luck persisted into the following week. In the final training session before the trip to Valladolid, Josan reported muscle discomfort, a problem that kept him from joining the squad to face Pucela. The fitness issue appeared just before the trip, highlighting how delicate the balance is for the coach and his rotation choices.
Josan is suffering from muscle discomfort and will undergo medical tests on Tuesday
JA Galvan
In the hours after the press notes, Borja Garcés, who had just begun to show good form, reported a muscle issue in his right calf and was ruled out of action as a precaution. Both Josan and Garcés are scheduled for medical tests on Tuesday to gauge the severity of their injuries. It looks unlikely they will be available for the upcoming Leganés match at the Martínez Valero stadium next Sunday (18:30 local time).
Turning the page, attention centers on which players will be able to contend with the Cantabrian rivals. Mario Gaspar remains in doubt as the club awaits clarification on his sanction after an on-field incident in Valladolid. A red card suspension may keep him out for more than one game, depending on the Competition Committee’s decision in the coming days.