The warning lights are on for Elche CF. There is no going back now. A decisive sequence of fixtures lies ahead that will decide whether the side can remain in the First Division for next season.
As 2022 closes and the clash with Atletico Madrid becomes history, 2023 begins, and the January agenda looms as a make-or-break window to secure league safety.
Conclusion and history of Atlético de Madrid-Elche: Elche faces a tough final stretch
In a few weeks, it will be clear whether there is any real chance of salvation. The Green and White squad cannot afford another slip. On Tuesday at 21:00, Ceuta hosts their King’s Cup second-round clash, a match that could set the course for their cup ambitions. Then comes Friday, January 6, Three Kings Day, when Celta Martínez visits Valero in a high-stakes meeting against a direct rival. A trip to Cádiz follows, another pivotal fixture as the team fights to climb away from danger. Osasuna, a standout from the season, arrives soon, and the month ends with a challenging test against Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán to measure the team’s progress this campaign.
The moment of truth has arrived for the new Elche under Machín
Despite the mounting pressure, the squad remains focused. The latest standings place Elche last with just four points and no wins yet. They sit nine points behind Cádiz and Sevilla and twelve behind Celta, a gap that makes the relegation battle real and immediate. Three of Elche’s next four opponents in January are currently inside or near the relegation zone, heightening urgency. Any setback could be fatal, and collecting at least seven points from the upcoming four matches is essential to avoid relegation in practice.
No rest for the team over the weekend
Machín and the players know the calendar cannot pause for holidays. With cup competition sandwiched between league fixtures, the Green and White squad did not take a break, not on New Year’s Day nor the following day. They carried out two training sessions and will hold one final session before traveling to Ceuta for the cup tie.
Despite the painful situation, the team has shown sparks of life in the matches against Atletico Madrid, offering a glimmer of hope. Goalkeeper Edgar Badía stressed the belief that the squad is still alive and will prove it at Martínez Valero in the forthcoming cup tie against Celta on Three Kings Day. He urged the group to fight together to the end, sharing the sentiment with supporters and teammates on social media.
Transfers
The January transfer window opens on Monday, January 2, presenting an opportunity to register players. Argentine left-back Lautaro Blanco is set to leave the squad and be available for Ceuta the following day, potentially strengthening the side for the immediate challenges.
Elche’s new signings are ready to make an impact
Reinforcements are now in the hands of owner Christian Bragarnik. Recognizing the urgency of January, Machín has repeatedly warned that time is running short. If Elche fails to nail down safety in February, even key signings may not prevent relegation, and the current structure of the squad could be re-evaluated in the broader plan for the club. This moment calls for bold decisions and rapid integration of fresh faces into the starting framework. — Club briefing