In the aftermath of the draw against Almería, the Elche CF coach, Francisco Rodríguez, emphasized that his team held the clearest chances to win, even as he acknowledged the match as a fair result. He noted that Elche assumed the initiative and created several moments of danger against a high-quality opponent. Rodríguez highlighted the overall performance, stressing that the team dictated the tempo and pressed to control the flow of the game, a mindset that kept Almería on their toes throughout the encounter, earning the respect of observers. [Source: club press conference attribution]
Rodríguez also praised the impressive debut contributions from Lirola and Collado, while urging that more could be expected from them in the second half, particularly in the final stretch of the game. He pointed out that while both players showed promise, Elche needed to sustain their intensity to survive the most challenging phases of the match, especially during the second episode when the tempo intensified and opportunities became more scarce. [Source: post-match notes attribution]
The coach from Elche also lauded Almería, describing their squad as formidable and noting that they present a constant threat in the attacking third. He acknowledged the visitors’ offensive intent and the difficulty of containing their pace, which added to the competitive atmosphere of a tightly contested fixture. [Source: tactical assessment attribution]
On the topic of squad stability, Rodríguez expressed relief that there were no injuries to report during the summer transfer window and commended the central defenders for their steadfast work against a physically imposing Nigerian center back profile, which added a layer of resilience to Elche’s back line. [Source: squad health attribution]
Meanwhile, Almería’s manager, Joan Francesc Ferrer Rubi, stated that his team looked closer to victory than their opponents, particularly in the latter stages of the game. He admitted that Elche had opportunities of their own and that the clash remained balanced and competitive from start to finish. Rubi referenced the Catalan coach’s frustration with missed counter-attacks and emphasized that the result felt fair, especially after noting Badía’s three standout saves and Fernando’s own key intervention. [Source: Rubi post-match remarks attribution]
Discussing the club’s broader situation and the ongoing efforts to adjust the salary cap, Rubi thanked those who had not yet been signed and affirmed that the club was fully committed to completing signings when possible. He stressed the importance of patience and prudent planning as the squad moves forward. “We hope to have something new between now and Saturday,” Rubi said, adding the wish that no player would be left out of decisions or files as negotiations continue. [Source: club strategy attribution]
In summary, Rubi remained confident that constructive additions could come soon, and he affirmed a steady belief that the team can translate their chances into wins as the season progresses, while Elche’s coaching staff focused on maintaining cohesion and pushing for decisive moments in upcoming fixtures. [Source: season outlook attribution]