Ahead, Real Sociedad sit in fourth place after taking the opening leg against Elche with a narrow margin. The visitors own 45 points from 13 wins and 6 draws, with only six defeats all season. Historical figures aren’t helping Elche, and the task grows tougher: the Franjiverde side has not found the back of the net in La Liga at Anoeta since 1977, and a top-flight victory there remains elusive, with a single prior win coming in the second tier.
Elche lost to Real Sociedad and continues without a win (0-1)
Elche CF
Duel
With the schedule in view, round 26 of La Liga Santander sends Elche to Anoeta for a clash with Real Sociedad. The match is scheduled for 4:15 PM on Sunday. Amid a flood of data, Martínez Valero hosts a snapshot of a contest where Imanol Alguacil’s squad edged Elche 0-1 thanks to a Brais Méndez strike. Real Sociedad showed precision with 84% of passes finding their target and controlled possession at 56%. Like their opponents, Elche’s coach Francisco Rodríguez set up a compact system, registering five shots on target across the game.
Mojica and Roger are no longer there
Current coach Pablo Machín will not be able to reuse the 11 from August 27, even if he wanted to. Mojica departed soon after that match, and Roger moved in the winter window. Pol Lirola returned to action. Edgar Badía is expected to guard the goal. Bigas and Roco could line up at centre-back, with Palacios, Magallán, and Roco typically orchestrating the play there. Mascarell and Gumbau are likely to reprise their midfield duties. Tete Morente could contribute after Saturday’s goal, while Collado remains sidelined with injury. Ezequiel Ponce could have started, and Boyé was absent in the first round. All signs point to a fresh start for today’s lineup.
Boyé: “We have to keep trying until the math says otherwise”
JA Galvanized
Results
Elche’s visits to Real Sociedad have historically ended in defeat, with only a handful of draws across 18 trips. The visitors have conceded more than they have scored (8 for, 42 against). They have never won in the top division at Anoeta. The last time Real Sociedad hosted Elche in La Liga’s era, 1977, the match unfolded under a constellation of stars such as Arconada and Zamora. The Elche squad included Mesones as coach and players like Trobbiani, Palomares, Llompart, Sitja, Cristo, and Esteban, among others. [citation: historical records from La Liga archives]
He won in the second
The teams that competed in the second division have left a legacy of at least one draw. A first top-tier triumph would be a novelty. The 0-1 result from January 2010, achieved via a Jorge Molina penalty, points to a past era under coach Bordalás with figures such as Generelo, Willy Caballero, Llorca, Rubio, Juli, Trejo, and Usero making meaningful contributions. [citation: match report archives]
The Crown’s European commitment
The schedule could influence the league, as Elche must manage a European tie. Alguacil’s Real Sociedad heads to Roma in the Europa League Round of 16 second leg, scheduled for Thursday at 21:00, after a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. Real Sociedad might feel fatigue from the draw with Elche, potentially tilting the balance in favor of the Spanish side.
Elche’s worst away result against Real Sociedad came in the 1967-1968 season, a 5-0 defeat. Reports indicate Elche’s recent struggles in San Sebastián nearly shifted again last season when a late Enzo Roco error allowed Oyarzabal to score, sealing a 1-0 win for Real Sociedad. On that day, Elche lined up with a familiar XI that included Palacios, Roco, Diego González, Mojica, Piatti, Mascarell, Raúl Guti, Fidel, Lucas Pérez, and Benedetto, with Carrillo and Morente among the substitutes.