Third day and still no alarm bells. After collecting only one point from nine possible in three games, Elche CF now faces a period of uphill work, aiming to gain ground against familiar rivals in La Liga. Almeria (4), Mallorca (4) or Girona (3) are listed as upcoming opponents. The schedule ahead is demanding, with Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona on the horizon, and all three matches at home.
At home, the Frangiverdes finished the first two rounds with a single draw against Almería. Betis and Real Sociedad are teams with potential and ambition for European spots. Yet Elche left doubts last Saturday. In the spirit of Benito Villamarín, there were moments when a lapse forced by a 15-minute incident became an excuse, but serious errors also stood out.
DEFENSE Vulnerability
Failures again when setting back
In the match against Almería, there were notable defensive breaches, especially along the central axis featuring RoCo and Pedro Bigas. Before Rea, a certain vulnerability reappeared. One of Francisco’s priorities since arriving last season has been strengthening the back line, since teams that fail to defend well tend to struggle to climb the table.
Against the donostiarras, imbalances were seen in several groups. Pol Lirola did not complete his start, a player with offensive qualities who sometimes struggles to close his zone. The same happened on Mojika’s left flank. The Colombian tends to operate in his own lane, and opponents target those areas to inflict damage.
TACTICAL SYSTEM
He began with three center-backs and shifted to a four-man defense.
Francisco has never hidden his preference for three defenders and two wide players. When he arrived at Elche, he expressed a strong desire to play this style, but adaptations were needed based on the squad he inherited. He initially kept the four defenders Escribá employed and gradually built his approach. In the final stretch of the season, that system yielded the best results and the required points for safety.
With this year’s roster changes, it seemed proceedings would follow a similar path. Three centers were used against Betis, but against Almería and Real Sociedad, the four-man line reassumed its defensive duties. Last Saturday, facing an opponent who, like Real Sociedad, wants to dominate possession and attack through three forwards, Francisco found it hard to discover a tactical solution. Helibelton Palacios showed some improvement, but the left flank still carried a sore point. The Elche coach must define his lineup and, more importantly, deploy offensive wings like Lirola and Mojica, especially against key rivals who are known to press.
SMALL CONTRIBUTION
Forwards struggle to establish their place and deliver consistently
Another worry in the first three days was the limited impact from the forwards. Eze Ponce and Roger Martí continue to underperform relative to expectations. In the second half against Real, Francisco rotated them with Lucas Boyé and Pere Milla, who also did not shine. As Boyé’s future with the club remains uncertain, it is crucial to stabilize Ponce and locate Roger. Up to now, Elche has only one goal and scoring remains a challenge, particularly when opponents start with an advantage. The journey ahead looks long as Elche continues to swim upstream against the current, chasing improvement and stability.
Third day and still no alarm bells. After collecting only one point from nine possible in his three games, Elche CF now faces a period of uphill work and will begin gaining ground against named opponents in the league. Almeria (4), Mallorca (4) or Girona (3) are listed as upcoming opponents. Also, Francisco’s team has a tough schedule ahead of them. In the next three games, they will face important teams. Villarreal, Athletic Club de Bilbao and Barcelona and both at home.
At home, the Frangiverdes finished their first two rounds in just one draw against Almería. It is true that Betis and Real Sociedad are teams with potential and their goal is to fight for Europe. But the most worrying thing is that Elche left doubts last Saturday. As with Benito Villamarín, only on that occasion could he expel John 15 minutes later as an excuse, which conditioned him, but there were also serious mistakes.
DEFENSE Vulnerability
Failures again when setting back
In the match against Almería, there were some green shots, especially on the defensive axis. RoCo and Pedro Bigas. However, before Rea he once again showed a certain vulnerability. One of Francisco’s obsessions when he came last season was and still is, improving defense, because teams under the table must grow from their back safety.
Against the donostiarras, there were significant imbalances, especially in groups. Pol Lirola did not finish the start. He is a football player with offensive qualities who find it difficult to close his group. The same thing happens Mojika left. The Colombian loves to go in his own lane. Opponents recognize them and try to do damage in that area of the field.
TACTICAL SYSTEM
He started with three center-backs and moved to a four-man defense.
Francisco has never hidden that he is a coach who loves to play with three defenders and two lanes. When he came to Elche, he said that he wanted to play like this very much, but that he had to adapt to the pieces in his hand. He retained the four defenders Escribá used and worked for him at first. Again, he practiced his own fetish system in the final part of the championship and that was when Elche played best and got the necessary points for permanence.
With the restructuring of this year’s roster, it seemed like everything would go on like that. He held three centers against Betis. But against Almería and Real Sociedad, the foursome came back from behind. Last Saturday, against an opponent who, like the San Sebastian team, likes to have the ball, control the game and come into the opponent’s zone with three forwards, Francisco lacked the ability to find a tactical solution. With output Helibelton Palacios with lira made some improvement but there was a growing scar on the left. That’s why the Elche coach must define himself and moreover have offensive wings like Pol Lirola and Mojica. And most of all, against your key competitors who you know will bow to you.
SMALL CONTRIBUTION
Forwards don’t finish finding their place and level
Another of the concerns over the first three days was the little contribution of the forwards. Eze Ponce and Roger Martí still appear. They are well below the expected level. Against Real, Francisco switched them again in the second half and brought in Lucas. Boyé and Pere Milla, who was also not very bright. With the question of whether Boyé will leave, it is urgent to save Ponce and locate Roger. Until now, Elche scored just one goal and it’s hard to add. And as in the first three games, it’s even more complicated if the opponents are always ahead. The journey will be long and Elche is already swimming against the current.