Elche CF closes its team training camp this Tuesday, wrapping up a concentrated spell at its facilities near the coast. The squad has been based at La Finca Golf Resort in Algorfa since Tuesday, July 26, using the time to sharpen tactics, endurance, and coordination ahead of the forthcoming fixtures. The club announced that its penultimate pre-season match will pit them against a Second Division side, Ibiza, a test designed to simulate midseason intensity while allowing coaches to evaluate squad depth and readiness. The session will begin at 10 am to escape the peak heat of the day, keeping players fresh for a high-tempo game. Although the match is behind closed doors, fans will still be able to follow the action through IB3 TV and the YouTube channel, with coverage slated to give a clear sense of formation, pressing triggers, and shift dynamics as the team prepares for La Liga duty.
Head coach of the season will take this opportunity as a platform to push experimentation across the lineup. A notable feature of the day will be the debut of a new element in the build-up play, with full-back Carlos Clerc set to take the field in a different role than in recent matches. Clerc, who joined from Levante last year, has been rounding into form and will be watched closely by observers for his ability to translate overlapping runs into meaningful ball delivery. The coaching staff intends to use the Ibiza match to simulate different scenarios, from early pressing to potential counterattacks, ensuring the squad can adapt under pressure in the minutes before competitive league play begins.
Injury updates remain a central theme for the session as the team navigates the final weeks of preparation. Lucas Boyé and Javier Pastore are both sidelined as they recover from injuries that kept them from the Cartagena game last Saturday. Boyé is undergoing a targeted rehabilitation plan aimed at resolving an adductor issue, with the hope of avoiding surgical intervention. Pastore continues to work back from a muscular complaint that has limited his participation. Both players are staying close to full training when possible, maintaining a careful balance between rehabilitation and on-field readiness so they can contribute as soon as medical clearance allows.
Gonzalo Verdu is another name to watch in the buildup to La Liga. The forward has been managing a minor muscle discomfort through a mix of adjusted drills and selective participation in group activities. He has shown perseverance and a willingness to push through discomfort, a mindset that could be crucial for the team if more miles are needed in the calendar. The medical and coaching staff will likely monitor his progression closely during the remaining preseason sessions to determine how and when he might rejoin full-team workouts without risking a setback.
Beyond these cases, several players are expected to feature prominently as the coach continues to assess options for the squad’s depth. Ezequiel Ponce, who already earned minutes in Cartagena, will be given opportunities to demonstrate his adaptation to the system and his understanding of the club’s tactical language. The willingness to rotate has been a clear theme, with the coach aiming to provide minutes to virtually every member of the squad while balancing workload and competitive intent. This approach helps create healthy competition for starting roles and fosters a sense of unity as the team progresses toward the start of LaLiga. The steady rhythm of training, paired with deliberate substitutions, should yield a clearer picture of the final squad composition as matchday approaches.