The press room microphone was off when the moment came for Elche’s coach Francisco Rodriguez to say goodbye to the reporters. He offered a parting note of good wishes: “Good luck, because my luck is mine and mine is yours.” He has always viewed his arrival at Elche as the start of a shared effort that includes every level of the club, the players and the media, aimed at a unified goal.
Elche is not enjoying its best spell. One win in the last five matches marks a rough patch. Rodriguez accepts that, yet he warns against chasing results alone and assuming there are not enough resources to pull through. Mental strength, he insists, is key to improving the odds. He noted that, among the nine teams fighting to avoid relegation, Elche is the fourth-highest scorer over the last six games, a sign of potential that can be capitalized on with the right mindset.
The Franjiverde coach emphasized full faith in his squad. He highlighted a large, capable workforce and stressed that what the club has is valuable and strong. He believes two victories could seal safety, provided the team competes fiercely and wins. He cited 38 points as a target that would keep them optimistic, confident in their luck and in their ability to influence the outcome.
The Almeria coach also spoke about balance. He attributed fluctuations to moments of imbalance and stressed the importance of balance, belief, collective persuasion and togetherness. He credited hard work for progress and asserted that mental resilience will help them reach their goal. The next opponent on the schedule is Real Sociedad.
“We faced strong opposition, we competed, and we scored. The most important game is the next one. Even with respect for a big opponent aiming for the Champions League, we will go out to win. I don’t know if we will win, draw, or lose, but I can promise we will race on Sunday,” the coach said.
Competitive drive has been missing for Elche in recent outings. The coach acknowledged the need to return to a more ambitious, competitive posture to contend for safety.
Lucas Boyé will be missed. He is a talented player, yet reality must guide planning for upcoming matches, including fixtures against Espanyol or Granada where he was absent but the team still found success. Carrillo, who hasn’t had many opportunities lately, received a standing ovation at Martínez Valero, underscoring the value of the squad available. Confidence rests in what the team has, which is ample and capable.
Elche’s lead scorer has had limited opportunity to play this season. The club hopes for a return, but safety comes first, with careful management to protect the player’s health for the final stretch of the campaign.
To cover for Boyé, Carrillo or Eze Ponce provide options. The team could adjust its attacking approach slightly, but there is a clear profile that adapts when Lucas is not on the field. When asked about Ponce, the coach explained that the forward has been inactive for a long period. It will take time for him to settle in, yet he is a player the club values highly, which will bring happiness to the fans as he grows into the team.
Bilbao’s image has weighed on the squad. The coach admitted the early week disappointment but affirmed responsibility and a drive to restore the team’s former competitive edge. The upcoming match against Real Sociedad is seen as a moment to give everything and play at full intensity.
On the opponent, Rodriguez highlighted its potential. He described the team as being close to Champions League places and fond of possessing the ball, especially in midfield against teams like Barcelona or Villarreal. The plan is to cover the field diligently and play with regional discipline to limit the opponent’s strengths.
For Sunday at 18:30, Elche is expected to have most of its squad available, with minor concerns. A Crevillente-born player has a calf issue from training midweek, while the Colombian winger faced a costlier injury in the season. Both are anticipated to be ready for the match. Another player has reported soleus discomfort that has kept him from training with the group. The hope remains that he will recover in the final part of the campaign and return to contributing when needed.
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