Elche CF is acutely aware of the importance of the upcoming match. The home game is set for a 2:00 PM kickoff at Martinez Valero against Mallorca, a direct rival in the fight to stay in the league. Both teams sit just three points apart in the standings, and a victory for either side could be decisive, offering a significant step toward preserving top-flight status next season.
That’s why Elche’s fans have been vocal since the team arrived at the stadium. A large crowd gathered to greet the coach and the backroom staff as they prepared in the team hotel district, which has become a focal point for supporters. Shouts of Elche, Elche! Come on, go for it! echoed through the area as the players departed toward the arena.
The players responded by waving to the crowd as they arrived at the bus, maintaining a focused, determined expression that reflected the high stakes of the match.
Inside the Martinez Valero pitch, Lucas Boye and Guido Carrillo will miss the game due to injuries. Both Argentine players had been progressing through their rehabilitation routines with swimming pool work under coach Aitor Soler’s guidance, but they are not available for selection on match day.
The Elche Coliseum is expected to host a grand atmosphere, with attendance surpassing 20,000 spectators. This week the club rolled out four discounted ticket promotions for fans, and the response was strong, drawing roughly 9,000 supporters to take advantage of the deals. In addition, the club has extended invitations to several provincial clubs, offering five- and ten-euro seats for their young players and accompanying family members. By Saturday, queues formed at the ticket offices two hours before kickoff as fans lined up to secure their spots.
The Easter holiday, the sunny day in the palm-lined city, and the high stakes of the match have all amplified the occasion. A sizeable contingent of foreign supporters, residents of Vega Baja or visitors vacationing in Alicante, will also be in attendance to witness a top-tier clash live in the First Division.
Elche’s supporters are ready to push their team toward victory, hoping to turn the day into a landmark moment in their season.