Holidays are over for Elche CF’s squad. After a week off at Christmas and a brief break between December 31 and January 1, Franjiverdes players returned to training on Tuesday afternoon to begin preparations. A Copa del Rey round of 32 matchup is on the horizon. The next foe will be decided after the draw: on Saturday, January 6 at 18:00, Elche will host Girona at the Martínez Valero stadium. The league renewal will resume on Saturday, January 13 at 18:30 with an away game against Tenerife at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium.
Elche will play two more league fixtures in January. On Sunday, January 21 at 21:00, the team will play Valladolid at home in Martínez Valero, and on the weekend of January 27-28 they will travel to Andorra. A clear plan for the month is still to be confirmed.
Coach Sebastian Beccacece faces a challenge to surprise and climb high in the Cup standings during the January knockout window, with Round 16 taking place from January 16 to 18 and the team aiming to advance further in the competition.
The first training session of the year occurred at the Díez Iborra field, part of the Juan Ángel Romero Sports City. The main absence was Oscar Plano, who remains at home in Madrid as rehabilitation began after surgery on his left ankle on December 20. The playmaker of Franjiverde is unlikely to return this season in competitive action.
Doctors Ripoll and De Prado successfully operated on Óscar Plano, who would be out of action for six months.
Following the brief talk from the Argentine coach, who welcomed the players to the new year, Elche started work with a clear sense of moving forward. January is viewed as a key month to evaluate the team’s promotion chances.
The end of 2023 was tough for Elche. Only a single point from nine was secured in the final three fixtures, with losses to Cartagena and Oviedo and a draw with Mirandés. This left the team in the twelfth position with 30 points, still within playoff and direct promotion ambitions, but with the margins narrowing.
The group of players and the technical staff understand the need to improve. The cup clash with Girona presents an opportunity to make a statement, followed by two important league tests against direct rivals. Tenerife sits in ninth place, just one point ahead of Elche, while Valladolid occupies fourth position with 35 points, five more than Beccacece’s squad.
Elche’s margin for error is shrinking if they aim to reach the final phase of the regular league in the top six and pursue the season’s targets. A strong start in the opening rounds would be essential to return to the top flight conversation.
A month to excite or suffer
Meanwhile, the sports commission and the club owner continue their search for reinforcements. The planning priorities include a striker and a winger who can operate on the right flank. The team is also evaluating options after Óscar Plano’s injury, including the possible arrival of a centre-back and a midfielder. The squad has seen seven goals from Plano in the first half, underscoring the need for scoring depth.
Elche shopping cart
The ownership and management are looking to act quickly but prudently. No immediate new signings are expected this week, with any addition likely to come before the league restarts and to reflect the club’s assessed needs and budget constraints.