To win is to rise after three defeats and touch the prize at last. It means holding on to permanence with the tips of the fingers. Losing brings a heavy burden, especially after a long week of struggle that tests a team’s resolve in the final stretch toward salvation.
Under these conditions, Elche CF faces Mallorca this Saturday at 14:00, a match that will carry the flavor of a season finale for both sides. The Ilicitanos and the islanders are separated by just three points in the standings. In the first round, the Son Moix clash ended in a 2-2 draw, so if the points are level at the end of the campaign, the tiebreaker will come down to goal difference.
A draw would have been less painful for the franjiverdes, since it would preserve the three-point cushion over the vermilion team. In fact, if Cádiz loses to Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Monday, Elche could extend their advantage to five points, with relegation still looming as the season progresses.
Yet Elche does not want to leave its homework for the final moments. They aim for a restorative victory that would ease the players’ nerves and reward the solid work begun at the start of 2022, a period in which results improved, earning nine points away from the relegation zone and offering a bit of breathability in the table.
Mallorca arrived at Martínez Valero in optimistic mood after defeating Atlético de Madrid recently. The change in leadership and the shift in the squad composition under Javier Aguirre, the coach nicknamed El Vasco, paired with Luis García Plaza’s guidance, have sharpened the team’s performance.
They carry confidence about surviving in Palma. The win over the Colchoneros snapped an eight-match winless streak and moved them out of the relegation places, lifting the pressure that had been pressing on their season.
Francisco’s squad faces this Saturday with the objective of breaking a three-defeat run, yet they bring a sense of steadiness and belief from their recent performances. Four points above relegation and displaying competitive signs in most matches, the team approaches the clash with a calm mindset and a readiness to push forward.
The Franjiverde coach will need to craft a careful plan to navigate the game. Injuries to Lucas Boyé and Guido Carrillo have deprived the team of their two main forwards. Ezequiel Ponce and Pere Milla have been left as the primary strikers, tasked with confronting danger up front.
On the right flank, Helibelton Palacios has picked up a suspension after collecting five yellow cards. The coach has contemplated using Josan on the right, a move tried in the latter stages of the match against Real Sociedad last Sunday. However, Josan is dealing with a muscle issue and remains uncertain until near kickoff. Barragán is expected to start in that position unless new information alters that plan.
In central defense, Mallorca’s approach has influenced Elche’s plans. Diego González faced a difficult outing versus Real Sociedad. San Sebastián’s attack had trials in the air and the visitors adjusted at halftime. The host team may recall Cartagena for a longer stint, though Mallorca has leaned on direct play for Kosovar Vedat Muriqi, who stands tall at 1.94 meters. Another option is Peter Bigas, but Verdú’s defensive presence could tilt the balance in favor of a central defender if Diego González rests.
Ponce and Pere Milla remain the anticipated offensive reference points. Despite a lean squad, Francisco does not appear inclined to abandon the two-forward system that has become his hallmark.
Martínez Valero is expected to witness a massive turnout, with over 20,000 fans hoping to propel their team to a victory and inch closer to the safety of permanence.