Elche hopes to close a remarkable day by witnessing the best version of the team this Sunday. Francisco, the coach, has managed to emerge from a difficult spell and is now very close to securing league permanence for his side.
The road ahead won’t be easy. At the Santiago Bernabéu? No, in truth the next clash pits Elche against one of the league’s strongest outfits. The Franjiverdes seek the three points, but even if the spoils don’t come, the priority is to protect the club’s emotional balance and forget the rough performance in Bilbao from the previous week. The squad understands it can lose to Real Madrid, Barcelona or other elite opponents; what remains unquestioned is the identity that will, sooner or later, propel them toward the ultimate objective. The season must continue for another campaign in Part One.
The team will have to do it without a reference point in attack. Without Lucas Boyé, sidelined by a knee issue and out for about a month, the front line looks less conspicuous on paper. It is time to prove once again that football is a team game, not a solo performance. Elche already knows what it’s like to play without their “9.” And they know how to respond: they defeated Rayo and Espanyol, drew with Granada and Levante, and nearly knocked Real Madrid out of the Cup.
Without Boyé, Elche relies on the pairing of Guido Carrillo and Ezequiel Ponce. At least one of the two is expected to start. Carrillo is a classic center forward, a striker who loves to stay attached to the edge of the threshold and unleash pressure. There is always something happening with his involvement, though this season much of it has been disrupted by refereeing decisions or the VAR.
Chosen by Francisco to replace Boyé at San Mamés, Ponce offers a more mobile and elusive option for the opponent’s defense. It would not be surprising if the Almería-born forward takes the charge and perhaps even tempts Pere Milla to rejoin the starting group. Francisco’s approach rarely shakes when it comes to decision-making, so there is another option to consider, though deploying all three upfront would leave room for tactical variations in the second half.
Mojica, Roco and Mascarell presented positive news before the Real match. All three are available and expected to re-enter the starting XI. Olaza did not provide the defensive reassurance seen from Mojica in Bilbao, and Chile’s players showed vulnerability in a very strong home performance, while Canarian players were solid at La Catedral.
Elche fans sense the goal is within reach, but it must be achieved. Turning Martínez Valero into a fortress is essential so the game is not decided in the final minutes. On the horizon lies a home clash with Mallorca next week, with Elche eager to arrive in good shape. Mallorca’s surprise victory over Atlético de Madrid this Saturday adds extra motivation to secure three points at home.
An influential royal
Real Sociedad has enjoyed a very positive spell of competition with three wins, one draw and only one loss in recent weeks. The absence of the injured Oyarzabal hurts the attack, pushing the team to rely more on defensive solidity, as they remain one of the season’s top defensive units at home and away.
Basques are set to welcome Januzaj back after a sanction, continuing their push to secure a European berth next year. Although the Belgian did not renew his contract, he remains in excellent form, and the player expected to fill the void left by Oyarzabal will likely feature in the late stages. With Sorloth and Isak competing for places in attack, Zaldua appears likely to start on the right flank, with his role still under consideration until near kick-off. No major changes are anticipated in the visiting eleven, while Mikel Merino is dealing with a toe issue that has lingered for a few weeks.
Under the guidance of Imanol Alguacil, Real Sociedad currently sit with the league’s third-best points tally in the history of the competition since 1995. In short, they present a sturdy challenge for Elche’s ambition to steer clear of trouble and celebrate the city’s feast day with confidence.