Three matches earned and one point collected. A modest trophy to open the season, and once again Elche’s defense sent a warning during the clash with Real Sociedad, especially in the first half when the hosts’ vulnerabilities could have been exploited. That pressure didn’t translate into danger, and Francisco’s side showed resilience, stubbornly clinging to the edge of defeat and fighting to salvage something from the night.
One of the surest sources of frustration for a player on the field is when the opponent relentlessly chases the ball in a tight passing game. Real Sociedad’s approach can feel like a perpetual rondo because of the quality of its players and the mindset of its coach. The visitors did not stop there; when they lost the ball, they pressed immediately. It wasn’t an even contest in the middle of the park, where Le Normand and Zubeldia dictated the tempo with early, aggressive pressure, their efforts clearly sanctioned by the referee’s leniency.
Gamble, gamble again, then face the consequences. Francisco chose a brave tactic, advancing into the rival half in the early stages and finding some success. Yet the Franciverdes began to notice openings as the game progressed. Roger Martí and Collado looked dangerous, with the former losing possession to Zubeldia after a robust challenge. Collado, moments later, faced a decisive intervention from Álex Remiro in a play that mirrored a prior goal against Almería.
Kubo carved out the first crack in Elche’s defense with a left-footed strike that was parried by Edgar Badía. The breakthrough, however, arrived on the break when Zubimendi found space in the middle and exploited a sweeping passing line toward Brais Méndez, who was untracked by any opponent. Meeting the ball with precision, Méndez converted a direct free kick, beating Edgar and prompting his teammates to celebrate the setup that had left Elche exposed at the back.
From that moment, Elche appeared stunned. The ghosts of the season’s opening day resurfaced—the doubts about the defensive organization resurfaced, and Real Sociedad gained two very clear chances to extend the lead before the half-time interval, but failed to capitalize on them.
The first came via a penalty that was followed by a decisive block from the defense. Cho managed to block Mojica’s surge, a moment that seemed to seal another potential deficit as he prayed to the fictional patron Saint Edgar that the penalty would not convert and that the score would stay intact. The goalkeeper, wearing the captain’s armband, did not succumb to Mikel Merino’s planned Panenka, preserving a fragile 0-1 margin at the break.
The second opportunity appeared when Mojica recovered possession after a previous challenge with Cho. He found himself with two opponents in the box, a crowded moment that felt like a second setback in the making. Yet Mojica held his ground, repelling the threat and keeping the scoreline within reach. It was another sign that Elche’s side had failed to establish a meaningful attacking presence down the flanks during that phase.
improvement with changes
At halftime, Francisco did not wait passively. He released a pair of substitutions, reshaping the personnel rather than the system that had come under pressure. Palacios and Raúl Guti replaced Lirola and Gumbau, signaling a proactive reboot with a broader objective in mind. The alteration was both individual and collective, aiming to restore balance and spark in the frontline.
Leading the revival was Collado, whose vigor kept the Valero crowd engaged and hopeful. Elche pressed with renewed intent, often choosing to drag the ball across the box rather than shooting immediately, a strategy that invited Guti into dangerous positions. Aragonese unleashed a shot that forced Remiro into a quick, reactive save, and the rebound fell invitingly for Roger Martí, who found the defender closing in on him as he searched for another scoring chance.
As the match evolved, Elche chased the result with their hearts more than their heads, while Real Sociedad’s coaching staff watched the scoreboard with a critical eye. Silva darted into scoring positions on two occasions, suggesting a fixation on a breakthrough that still did not materialize. Edgar kept one threat in check, and Bigas showed composure and speed to stretch the defense and carve out a defensive oasis for the Franciverdes during moments of danger.
With the clock ticking, Real Sociedad began to fade in the heat and fatigue, and Elche received a brief window to fashion a draw. Francisco responded by injecting last season’s top scorers Boyé and Pere Milla into the action, replacing Roger and a subdued Ponce in a bold attempt to tilt the balance. The Argentine talisman offered a handful of touches that, though limited, injected urgency into Elche’s approach. Yet the forward line did not fully click, and Real Sociedad remained a threat near their goal, denying Elche even a draw that would have felt earned after a spirited late surge.
In the end, the scoreline reflected a bittersweet taste for Elche: a performance driven by passion and stubborn defense, but lacking the needed clinical finish or tactical edge to pierce a strong Real Sociedad team. The team left the pitch with the sense that they had competed against a squad that, on paper, sits among La Liga’s more formidable sides, while Elche themselves faced a quiet disappointment as they kick off their Centennial season still searching for consistency in the league’s upper echelons.