point for hope
JA Galvanized
in front of the Royal Society
His second participation proved valuable. He played the full ninety minutes at home against Real Sociedad, becoming a focal point in Elche’s attacking effort that originated from the right and generated danger. The result went against them with a 0-1 defeat, yet the performance reflected a level of competitiveness that suggested a turning point for the team. The squad would face a difficult stretch afterward, with escalating challenges ahead.
“Missing”
In September the loaned Barcelona player gradually found his path narrowing and he faced exclusion from the lineup. He appeared against Villarreal in a 4-0 defeat but was substituted in the 70th minute and struggled to influence the match. His last appearance under the Francisco era came on the fifth matchday against Athletic Club, where a 4-0 first half left Elche looking out of the fight.
verbena defense
JA Galvanized
with almiron
Collado stopped receiving consistent minutes under Francisco or Gallego. Almirón arrived in mid-October and gave him a chance in his first game, but changes followed after the winter break. The Sabadell native did not feature in the next match against Real Madrid and found himself back in the starting eleven at Espanyol, where he reentered the game in the second half.
Against Getafe he did not play at all, later appearing briefly in Valladolid and becoming a central figure in a difficult Elche-Girona clash that hinted at the broader fate of the club. A manager change soon followed, with Pablo Machín taking the field at the Metropolitano against Atlético, where Collado came on only in the 70th minute.
Absolute crash of Elche after a new defeat against Girona
JA Galvanized
injury
In his final appearance of the season the young Catalan midfielder suffered an injury that would affect his campaign. Elche CF announced a proximal detachment of the right adductor. He rejoined group sessions in early March but did not fully complete practice with the squad until early April.
new opportunity
Already recovered, he awaited his next chance. His first return match came against Barcelona, a 0-4 loss, where the coach kept him on the bench to revive his match sharpness. In Pamplona he stepped onto the pitch again, entering the 88th minute against Osasuna in a 2-1 result, hoping to seize any positive moment from the contest.
To show
The season is not over yet. Collado wants to demonstrate the same brilliance he showed at the start of the campaign. The team faces an uphill battle, but the midfielder remains 23 years old and part of a big club like FC Barcelona. His future will largely hinge on his performance in the closing stretch of the La Liga season. This stint at Elche was a one year assignment, and even as the green and white project looks precarious, Collado can still influence the outcome. The next opportunities will test his resolve. The coach will decide whether he is trusted again, potentially making him one of the decisive players in the final games against Girona.
A chance to reassert himself is on the horizon. The team believes in his talent and his effort has not gone unnoticed in training. When called upon, there is every reason to think he can contribute meaningfully in the remaining fixtures against tough opponents.