Elche delivers two high scoring friendly wins, fueling optimism ahead of the league restart
Elche CF staged a memorable goal celebration scene during a packed midweek slate of friendlies. In the morning, the squad defeated Intercity by seven goals, and in the afternoon they matched that tally against Athletic Torrellano, making clear the team’s intent to hit the ground running when competition returns.
JA Galvanized
Pablo Machín used the two matches to rotate the squad and distribute minutes among all players in the squad. A number of representatives from the reserve team stepped in, allowing two different lineups to take the field. Most players logged full 90 minutes across both fixtures to adapt to what lies ahead when the league resumes next week.
The news was encouraging as veterans Fidel Chaves and Diego González, along with Tete Morente, returned to action and played significant minutes. Others who have been sidelined, such as Enzo Rojo and Pol Lirola, were absent due to ongoing recovery, while John Chetauay remained out with a fibula injury likely to keep him off the pitch for a while longer.
In the afternoon clash, the Franjiverde once again produced seven goals, confirming a dominant performance against Torrellano. The coaching staff kept faith with the same competitive spirit and the same high pressing approach that characterized the morning game.
Machín stuck with the three-man defense and a pair of wingers in both sessions, adjusting personnel to fit the system. The right-back position in the second half was filled by the reserve team member Carles Marco, while Diego González and Carlos Clerc flanked the three-man backline. In attack, Morente and Nico Fernández Mercau covered the wide roles, with Omar Mascarell, Domingos Quina, and Fidel Chaves occupying the midfield engine room. In the morning, the forward pairing consisted of Lucas Boyé and Roger; in the afternoon, Pere Milla partnered with Ponce. Every forward line found the net in their respective halves.
The Argentine forward opened the scoring in the 12th minute after Fidel Chaves delivered a curled corner, Morente connected with the far post, and Ponce pounced to finish past the keeper. In the 20th minute Nico Fernández converted a shot from the flank after the ball grazed the post, briefly stretching the lead. Shortly after, Quina and Pere Milla struck the crossbar within seconds of each other. Before half time, Nico found the net again in the box following a precise pass from Pere Milla, boosting the score to 3-0 at the break.
At the start of the second half, the Catalan striker finished a well-worked move with a pass from Ponce to push the tally to 4-0. Fidel added a fifth by capitalizing on a rebound after a long-range effort. Ponce completed his brace from a cool finish in the 76th minute, and Nico sealed a hat-trick with a late strike after a solitary run and a clever bit of skill. The afternoon session echoed the morning’s intensity with a relentless pursuit of goal.
Highlights from the day circulated on social channels with posts celebrating a strong Elche showing and the visible growth in the team’s game model. The posting atmosphere reflected the sense that the squad is starting to gel behind the ball and in transition play.
Despite facing opponents deemed less challenging, Machín expressed satisfaction with the performance. The results illustrated the early signs of a burgeoning team identity and a clear game plan taking shape under his guidance, and the players demonstrated an ability to find the back of the net with multiple attacking options.
DATA SHEET:
ELCHE CF: Edgar Badia, Tete Morente (Manu Cocca, minute 70), Carles Marco (Alejandro Alfaro, minute 59), Diego González (Pablo Felipe, minute 70), Carlos Clerc, Nico Fernández, Omar Mascarell, Domingos Quina, Fidel, Pere Milla and Ezequiel Ponce.
ATHLETIC TORRELLANO: Luis, Carlos, Nefalí, Gleb, Denilson, Jony Ñíguez, Abu, Jorge Pastor, Moha Ndiaye, Lara and Manu.
SCORES: 1-0 in the 12th minute, Ponce; 2-0 in the 20th minute, Nico; 3-0 in the 38th minute, Nico; 4-0 in the 53rd minute, Pere Milla; 5-0 in the 59th minute, Fidel; 6-0 in the 76th minute, Ponce; 7-0 in the 80th minute, Nico.
STADIUM: Martinez Valero. Behind closed doors.