Pere Milla: “I am grateful to Elche, but Espanyol is a different challenge”
The Elche CF squad wrapped up another practice session behind closed doors on Thursday at the Martinez Valero stadium. It marked the penultimate training day before the Europa League clash and served as a final tune-up in Spain ahead of the trip to the Basque Country. The team, set to face Eibar on Saturday in the second division, will aim to build momentum on the road in the league opener’s wake, with the match taking place at the Ipurúa stadium, a venue that often tests visiting teams with its distinctive atmosphere.
With the journey to Basque lands scheduled for later this week, the Franjiverde staff planned their last pre-match meeting for Friday morning. Once again, the session took place behind closed doors, allowing the coaching staff to refine tactics and select the squad. Head coach Sebastian Beccacece is expected to announce the list of players called up for the trip, mirroring the approach taken in the season’s opening league game against Racing de Ferrol. Notable is the continued rehabilitation of John Chetauya, who is working back from fibula surgery, while Father Millan has recently transferred within Spain. The team’s depth and the handling of injuries will be under close watch as the squad shapes up for a demanding schedule ahead.
The Elche delegation, departing by bus from the training complex, left the enclave around 11:45 a.m. for Valencia airport. There, the team will board a flight to Bilbao scheduled for 3:30 p.m., marking the start of a focused weekend that culminates at Ipurúa. Upon arrival in Bilbao, the squad will check into the Hotel Bilbao Gate, the team’s base for the stay that will prepare them for the Saturday fixture and help maintain a consistent rhythm ahead of travel to the Basque site.
The travel plan emphasizes a compact schedule that keeps the squad cohesive and sharp. The return leg will come after the Eibar game, with the team flying back to Madrid. The outbound flight to Bilbao leaves the region in the mid-afternoon hours, and the Bilbao Sondica airport arrival will be followed by a bus transfer to the Spanish capital. The anticipated arrival back home is forecast between two and three in the morning, as the players and staff begin the long road back to Elche after a demanding sequence of matches and travel days.
In the broader narrative of the venture, Pere Milla’s perspective provides a window into the club’s ambitions. The forward, expressing gratitude toward Elche for the opportunity, acknowledges that the upcoming match against Espanyol in the Europa League carries a different weight and challenge. The sentiment reflects a sense of professional focus that drives the team as it navigates back-to-back commitments in domestic league play and Europe. The players know that each fixture is part of a larger arc designed to maximize performance and keep the club competitive across competitions in the current season.
The tactical sequence ahead is shaped by a blend of resilience and discipline. The squad aims to balance recovery with intensity, ensuring that the players arrive at Ipurúa ready to press for points and contribute to a positive result. The coaching staff’s plan emphasizes workload management, careful exposure to travel, and a clear game plan tailored to Eibar’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Fans can expect a meticulous approach, with the team leveraging its depth and cohesion to overcome the distance and the unique demands of a late-week schedule.
The edition of preparation also highlights the role of leadership within the squad. While younger players push to prove themselves, veterans provide the steadiness necessary to maintain focus during a busy period. Communication between players and staff remains key, as does the ability to adapt quickly to the evolving tactical landscape of the league and the Europa League. This blend of experience and ambition is what keeps Elche’s campaign alive as it navigates the dual pressures of national competition and continental ambition, a dynamic that resonates with supporters across Canada and the United States who follow European football closely, eager to see how the season unfolds for the team from Elche. [EFE]