Elche mantiene la esperanza pese a la derrota ante Getafe

Elche CF faced relegation but showed remarkable professionalism in the final rematch of the season, keeping the pressure on. After a recent win over Atletico Madrid, they carried momentum into a tough draw against Getafe, a clash that tested the squad’s resilience and its coach’s game plan.

Franjiverdes remained focused, not slipping into relaxation even as the azulones controlled portions of the match. Elche started with a brighter tempo, taking an early lead, yet Getafe responded with composure. The first half drifted into extra time, and the visitors managed to level the score, keeping the tension high and leaving the result open for both sides to seize a qualifying edge.

Beccacece kept the same starting XI, making only a minor adjustment due to muscle discomfort. Helibelton Palacios did not travel to Madrid. Pedro Bigas stepped in as the right-footed defender when the Colombian was unavailable, while Tete Morente moved forward with attacking intent. Magallán joined the defense with Carlos Clerc, and the Argentine coach pushed Nteka alongside Boyé in the attack to stretch the Getafe defense.

Magallán for Palacios; Getafe vs Elche the only starting XI change

JA Galvanized

Moments after the kickoff, Bordalás urged his team to press higher. Enes Ünal sent a sharp pass from the inside, signaling Getafe’s intent. The Azulones grew more involved as the game unfolded, recognizing the danger Elche posed. Damián Suárez, operating on the inside right, delivered a precise cross seven minutes in, and Munir converted from close range after a quick reaction from Edgar to push the ball into the net.

Getafe set the pace of the match, while Elche struggled to establish possession in the middle of the field. Morente and Lautaro’s runs found good reception from the locals, and Nteka threatened with two forays, first saved by David Soria and later forcing another decent stop from the goalkeeper.

The Bordalás side maintained control with a steady rhythm. Damián Suárez added the second goal in the 21st minute when Unal delivered a ball to the middle for the Uruguayan to strike from the edge of the area. A mistimed clearance by Magallán nearly gifted Getafe another scoring chance, which narrowly missed the target after a scrambled play.

Enes Ünal and Damián Suárez built pressure in the Getafe attack, while Badia faced a series of close calls from Elche’s forwards. The Madrid side created danger and sustained momentum, but Elche held firm, repeatedly testing the defense and keeping the score precarious for Getafe’s back line.

The Madrileños took control of the contest, yet Elche showed grit in the final stretch of the first half. A dramatic moment saw Soria parry a near-equalizer from Nteka, preserving the deficit. In stoppage time of the first half, Boyé directed a header from a Gumbau corner past the keeper, equalizing the score and leaving the Coliseum audience stunned by Elche’s resilience.

system change

Beccacece substituted during the timeout, bringing Nico Fernández Mercau on for Lautaro Blanco and Josan for Magallán, altering the shape on the field. Bigas moved to center defense, John shifted to the middle, Clerc to left-back, and Josan to right-back. The formation settled into a clear 4-4-2, with Gumbau anchoring midfield play.

Getafe pressed again, forcing a close examination of the hands call on Pedro Bigas and seeing Edgar Badía deny a long free kick from Ünal. The nerves within both squads grew as the match wore on, with Elche maintaining discipline and looking to strike on the break.

Elche faced the challenge of playing with composure under Madrid’s intensity, choosing to manage risk and strike when opportunities appeared. Boyé, a constant danger, pushed forward in search of a decisive breakthrough and showcased the forward’s intent to influence the game, even as Getafe pushed for a winning finish.

Bordalás added offensive firepower with Borja Mayoral, Portu, Latasa, and Gonzalo Villar, while Getafe maintained a two-forward system with Ünal and Latasa, delivering more balls into the box. Beccacece responded by reinforcing the defense with Gonzalo Verdú, finalizing a compact backline of John, Verdú, Bigas, and Clerc. The plan then leaned on rapid wing play by Josan and Nico, paired with quick passing to feed Boyé, who remained involved in every attacking sequence.

The crowd grew anxious as Mayoral created a golden chance, denied again by Badía. Elche’s urgency peaked late as Pere Milla came on to replace a fatigued Nteka, signaling a push to keep fighting for next season. In the late moments, Elche struck once more, with Pere Milla providing a clever backheel assist to Nico, who couldn’t control the ball cleanly. Boyé also came close with a acrobatic finish that sailed wide. The two sides finished with a display of heart, not necessarily the chessboard of tactics, as both teams pushed to seize the win in the closing stages.

Despite relegation, Elche showed signs of progress. They collected two wins in the last four matches, drew another, and suffered only one more defeat, a momentum builder for the future. Bordalás left disappointed, his Getafe side left to ponder how a late push could not seal the result against a former team.

DATA SHEET:

What’s going on? David Soria; Djene, Mitrovic, Alderete, Gastón (Latasa, min.68); Damián (Portu, min. 56), Arambarri (Iglesias, min. 37), Maksimovic, Munir (Mayor, min. 56); Aleñá (Gonzalo Villar, min. 68) and Ünal.

Elche: Edgar Badía; Bigas, Magallán (Josan, min. 46), Clerc, Blanco (Nico, min. 46); Tete Morente (Verdú, min.78), John, Gumbau, Fidel (Raúl Guti, min.78); Nteka (Pere Milla, min. 72) and Lucas Boyé.

TARGETS: 1-0, min.8: Munir. 1-1, min.45+1: Length.

JUDGE: Iglesias Villanueva (Galicia Committee). Enes Ünal (min.45+2) warned Bigas (min.49), Damián (min.51), José Bordalás, Getafe coach (min.75) and David Soria (min.93).

STADIUM: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in front of 13,927 spectators.