The surprise choice to appoint Almirón as the head coach did not crush the spirit of Elche supporters. Almost a thousand fans traveled to Mestalla to back their team in a crucial match against Valencia CF. Of the 697 tickets allocated to the club by the league, 430 found buyers among Elche’s loyal following. Three buses rolled out from the Martínez Valero stadium at dawn, and a sizable faction of supporters made the journey in private vehicles, with some continuing on to Valencia from Friday onward.
Upon the Franjiverdes’ arrival at Mestalla, the crowd greeted the players and their coach with a chorus of chants and sustained encouragement. The energy in the stands was palpable, and Almirón quickly became a focal point of the fans’ support as he received visible backing from the squad on the pitch.
On the sidelines, the ownership circle of Elche was present and engaged. Christian Bragarnik, the team owner, along with chairman Joaquín Buitrago and a number of associate directors and major shareholders, attended the summer afternoon fixture in the Turia capital. Their presence underscored the club’s commitment to the project and their desire to gauge the team’s trajectory under the new leadership.
As the match approached and the players prepared to take the field, the mood in the stands conveyed a shared resolve. Fans emphasized unity between the coaching staff, the players, and the management group, signaling a collective will to navigate the season’s challenges together. The atmosphere balanced optimism with a clear recognition of the task ahead, and the supporters expressed confidence in the club’s direction while remaining aware of the hurdles they would face in the competitive landscape.
With kick-off imminent, the crowd cheered not only for the performance on the pitch but for the resilience demonstrated by everyone involved with Elche. The day stood as a testament to the club’s loyal base and its readiness to back decisions that aim to propel Elche into a stronger competitive position, even in the face of a demanding schedule and high expectations from fans who travel far and wide to follow their team.