Elche CF faced a pivotal moment as the club prepared to host Mallorca with a rapidly assembled leadership structure. The substitution for the dismissed Francisco was not yet settled, placing a high degree of scrutiny on Alberto Gallego, who was stepping in to lead the first team from the bench after being in charge of the development squad. The interim arrangement meant that the second in command for the upcoming match would be the Ilicitano coach, alongside Nino, directing the team through a challenging fixture. The atmosphere around the Estadio Martínez Valero carried a sense of urgency and expectation as the club navigated transition during a critical period of the season.
Gallego, who had only taken charge of the A team the previous Wednesday and overseen five training sessions, spoke about the honor and responsibility of leading the senior squad. He emphasized that there was no time for sentimentality, stressing that the priority was to rebuild trust within the group through relentless daily work and unwavering focus. His comments underscored a practical approach: the squad must move beyond emotions and channel energy into disciplined preparation, recovery, and execution on match day.
Fidel, Pastore, and Roco were recorded as unavailable, while Lucas Boyé faced scrutiny after reporting discomfort during Saturday’s practice. The coach called on the team to rally around one another, aiming not only to win but to earn it through a display of cohesion, discipline, and determination that reflected the club’s values. In his view, victory would derive from collective effort rather than individual genius, with every player contributing to a unified game plan.
Unity was a recurring theme. The manager urged the squad to pursue victory with a combination of attacking intent and defensive solidity, recognizing that breaking down Mallorca would require a balanced approach and disciplined pressing. He stressed that success would depend on the group’s willingness to work as a unit, to press aggressively when appropriate, and to sacrifice personal glory for the sake of the common goal.
Gallego explained that a week of hard work would be the foundation for progress. He urged players to stay focused and to engage all of their senses in training and preparation, avoiding distractions about the immediate match and keeping sight of longer-term objectives. The message was clear: the team needed to stay grounded, maintain concentration, and execute with precision when the whistle blew.
As the discussions continued, the interim coach indicated that he had not been drawn into conversations about his future with the A team. The ownership, led by Christian Bragarnik, had not clarified plans beyond the present assignment. He described the early days as demanding, with little sleep and a great deal of responsibility, yet he framed the experience as an opportunity to prove the team’s resilience and capacity for adaptation during uncertain times.
The Catalan manager highlighted the positive impact of the five days of work they had undertaken with the senior squad, noting that the focus had been on generating belief, desire, and humility within the squad. He reiterated that the most important element was the group itself, calling on players to be supportive of one another and to understand that attacking courage must be matched by willingness to drop back and defend when required. He reminded everyone that the club’s history and current challenge demanded collective effort and mutual trust, with every member of the squad contributing to the common cause.
When asked about tactical arrangements, the coordinator from Galicia declined to reveal specifics about formations for the match against Mallorca. He acknowledged that the club had historically used a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 setup, and that flexible approaches had been employed in previous campaigns, including during stints with Recreativo de Huelva or Ibiza in addition to adapting to a three-central-back system. The aim was to remain adaptable and prepared for varying scenarios during the contest against Mallorca, rather than clinging to a single fixed blueprint.
The coaching staff praised the contributions of assistants Nino and Dani Llacér, while paying tribute to a veteran Franco-Green legend whose influence extended beyond tactical know-how. The relationship had grown into one of mutual respect, with the elder figure earning admiration for his professionalism, experience, and integrity. That personal dynamic was cited as a key driver of the team’s momentum, reinforcing the sense that the squad could rely on experienced leadership during a fragile period.
Mallorca’s delegation described their own squad as a hardworking unit with greater variety than initially anticipated. They came to Martínez Valero with a seasoned coach and a talent-filled roster, armed with a plan that balanced experience with youthful energy. The Mallorca camp asserted that they had studied Elche carefully and felt ready to claim victory, emphasizing the importance of smart preparation and disciplined execution to outmaneuver the home side.
As kickoff approached, Gallego appealed to Elche’s supporters to stand with the team during a moment fraught with uncertainty and a landmark centenary in view. He invited fans to join in the effort with a show of unity, suggesting a simple gesture of applause at the start of the session and encouraging an enthusiastic, inclusive atmosphere that could lift the players. He acknowledged the desire of the fanbase to celebrate and to participate in a moment of collective encouragement, urging them to fill Martínez Valero with energy and support, while recognizing the challenging circumstances the club faced. The message was straightforward: victory would require shared resolve, and the fans’ presence and vocal backing could become a decisive factor in the contest. [Elche press conference, 2024]