Despite the matchday drama surrounding Sebastian Beccacece and his debut as Elche CF’s new coach, the realities on the pitch remained stubbornly unchanged. The green fringe faced a Barcelona side that is clearly the league leader, and the game made that gap unmistakably clear as it unfolded before the eyes of the crowd.
Elche kept a compact shape, allowing Barça to feel the weight of a practically full squad still recovering from rotation. They managed to collect three points at Martínez Valero, a relief for the visitors that showed in the match tempo and the way they closed out the game.
The Argentine coach’s first call looked deliberate and cautious, and Beccacece stood for about an hour addressing every detail. He even created a moment where Lewandowski had a rare opening when the ball slipped past him after a challenging run, but the finish escaped him and the chance evaporated before Ter Stegen could intervene.
Elche demonstrated their defensive vulnerabilities once again, especially when faced with the high quality of Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, and Ferran Torres. The final score reflected the imbalance in play and the gap in squad depth that characterizes Elche’s current campaign.
Beccacece surprised with his initial lineup, showing a tactical temperament that aimed to extract more ball circulation. Omar Mascarell was stationed at center-back to widen passing options, Pedro Bigas moved to the right, and Helibelton Palacios shifted to right-back while Machín operated through the middle as part of the defensive axis.
The first changes included Lautaro Blanco starting on the left after returning to training with the Argentina squad. The Rosarino, though, stayed inside as Barça attacked, while Clerc dropped in as a third center-back and Lautaro adjusted to seal the left channel.
Fidel held a deeper position on the left and Tete Morente sought width on the right, while Pere Milla enjoyed the freedom to press and combine. The setup reflected Elche’s plan to compact the space and look for exits through rapid transitions.
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Xavi again shook up the lineup, even with a long list of notable absences. Raphinha, Pedri, Dembélé, Frenkie de Jong, and Christensen were unavailable, and Busquets, Balde, and Kessié were not included in the starting plan as the coach prepared for the Cup semifinal against Real Madrid later in the week.
Barça’s coach trusted a slightly altered engine room with Sergi Roberto alongside Gavi, while Ferrán Torres, Ansu Fati, and Lewandowski took roles that allowed them to operate from wide positions and strike through the middle at moments. The defensive line featured Koundé, Araujo, Marcos Alonso, and Jordi Alba, maintaining the familiar balance that has served the team well this season.
Elche showed early intent to press and disrupt Barcelona’s buildup, not waiting for the opponent to dictate the tempo. The plan was to stay tight and deny space, forcing Barça into a few hurried decisions in the midfield corridors. Yet as the minutes ticked by, Barça began to impose their rhythm more consistently. A well-delivered cross from Alba found Araujo and a precise touch finished by Lewandowski opened the scoring, slipping past Edgar Badía and into the net.
Barça soon dictated the tempo, moving the ball with ease and probing the Flank with constant width. Yet Elche did not surrender; they nudged for an equalizer and became a thorn in the side of the visitors with a few dangerous moments around the box, particularly from set pieces and quick switches of play.
At halftime the score remained 0-1, a reflection of how Open the game felt and the potential for a swing in either direction as the second half began.
second part
Elche found a moment of reward in the 52nd minute when Fidel played a clever ball through to Carmona, and the Sevilla loaned player found the target past Ter Stegen. The goal stirred the home side and raised their intensity, but the moment of celebration was short-lived as the ball betrayed him at the decisive moment and the chance slipped away, leaving Elche still trailing.
Three minutes later Ansu Fati struck again on a counterattack, curling a precise shot from a forward run that nestled into the far post, doubling Barça’s lead and putting the match effectively beyond reach for Elche.
A string of defensive lapses continued to plague Elche in the latter stages. Nico Fernández Mercau miscontrolled a ball near midfield, Gavi pounced, and Sergi Roberto released Lewandowski for another finish that sealed the result. The Polish striker did not miss and added a third goal.
Ferran Torres arrived on the scene in the 70th minute, and his presence immediately contributed to another Barça goal, a strike after a defensive mishap that widened the gap to four. Elche, to their credit, did not drop their heads, continuing to press and look for a path back into the game. Fidel produced a strong effort that hit the crossbar after a cross from Josan, and Crevillentino created a moment of danger with a sharp counterattack and two attempts by Raúl Guti.
A resounding defeat underscored the difference between the league leaders and their challenger, while Beccacece learned and showcased a fresh approach along with tactical nuances that, despite the scoreline, revealed potential for Elche’s future phases.
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DATA SHEET
Elche: Edgar Badía, Palacios, Bigas, Mascarell, Lautaro Blanco, Tete Morente, Carmona, Gumbau, Clerc, Fidel, Pere Milla.
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Araujo, Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba, Eric García, Sergi Roberto, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati.
TARGETS: 0-1 Lewandowski 20; 0-2 Ansu Fati 55; 0-3 Lewandowski 66; 0-4 Ferran Torres 70.
JUDGE: Del Cerro Grande. Barcelona received a yellow card for Gavi, Araujo, and Lewandowski.
STADIUM: Martínez Valero in front of 28,142 spectators.