For some, this Sunday marks the final test before the League kicks off, while for others it’s a thrilling project unfolding for their fans. Elche and La Nucía will clash in a genuine festival at Camilo Cano, Sunday at 7:00 pm. For the Franciverdes, this gathering stands in for the usual summer mugs, a celebration for the Roja after last year’s promotion to the First RFEF.
Even though the match is a friendly, the stakes feel real as the season opener lands on August 15 at Benito Villamarín against Betis. Elche isn’t here to fan suspicion after recent defeats to Ibiza and Cartagena; the aim is to deliver one more joy to a growing fan base of over 22,000 subscribers before the official campaign begins. As part of the club’s Franjiverdismo expansion into the Alicante province, tickets will be on sale in Nuciera until kickoff.
The biggest change for Elche is the arrival of Roger Martí, the newest signing and the second to join during the centennial year. The former Levante winger arrives in peak form and, barring any unforeseen issue, should make his debut for the team at La Nucía. He will not rely on Francisco, Boyé, Gonzalo Verdú, or Pedro Bigas, while other players such as Josan, Fidel, or Pastore—who had limited minutes so far—remain under evaluation for their exact fitness.
Although it’s still slightly more than a week before the Betis clash on the season’s first day, the starting XI Francisco is weighing on Sunday is expected to resemble the lineup Elche fielded at the league curtain-raiser. Most positions seem settled, reflecting the commitments from the last campaign. The standout question at the moment is whether Roger Martí will secure a starting role.
good atmosphere
Expect a vibrant atmosphere at the Nuciero Coliseum as two fan bases converge. A large contingent of franjiverdes is anticipated, and the local club hopes to stage a festive kickoff for this ambitious project that has already elevated them to the Third Category of Spanish football.
An old acquaintance will coach Elche’s pre-season finale against La Nucía, a veteran of the football world known for his steady hand. César Ferrando, who steered Elche after the difficult exit of José Bordalás in 2012, later left a positive personal impression despite uneven results. He is now guiding La Nucía, and this will be his fifth season with the club, delivering a steady rise that included two promotions.
Ferrando’s long run has included moving from Third B to Second B and, after ongoing restructuring, Second to First RFEF. The match against Elche provides La Nucía with a stylish stage to showcase players and staff entering the Camilo Cano field to applause from loyal supporters. Among the new arrivals is Aketxe, the recent addition to Hércules, who could feature in what will be Ferrando’s second pre-season friendly after a 1-0 loss to UCAM the previous week.
Melendo to Granada
On the transfer front, Granada’s deal with Óscar Melendo was confirmed this Saturday, ending his time within Elche’s orbit. The young midfielder, released after his contract with Espanyol concluded, was close to finalizing terms with Elche, with an official announcement drafted after a pair of in-person talks in the city. A few last-minute negotiations led to a different path, and Melendo will continue his career in the Second Division.
The situation stands as a reminder of how fluid the market can be, with a player who was nearly a sticking point in the club’s plans now poised to contribute at a higher level elsewhere. This development reflects the broader dynamics of a team rebuilding and reshaping its squad in the early stages of the season.