Elche CF players enjoyed a festive Christmas with family and friends, then resumed training on Saturday morning. After a brief rest, the coach gave his squad the afternoon off and the team will return to work on Monday. The mood is focused as they gear up for a demanding run of matches ahead.
The Elche group faces a packed calendar in the coming weeks, with a demanding slate that could stretch into next month. Up to eight games are scheduled across La Liga and the Cup, and many players are determined to secure the club’s top objective of staying in the division, especially during league play.
Elche will face Atlético Madrid in the cup on Thursday at the Cívitas Metropolitano stadium (kick-off 21:00). On Thursday, January 3, they will travel to Ceuta for another cup tie at 21:00, a third round clash against a Primera RFEF side from North Africa.
Three days later, on Friday January 6 at 18:30, the team will host the first of what could be decisive fixtures at the Martínez Valero stadium, with the aim of edging closer to safety. The match pits Pablo Machín’s side against a direct relegation rival.
After the Day of the Epiphany there will be a small break, giving the Franjiverdes ten days without competitive action. The pause could allow the Soriano coach to rest some weary legs.
Elche is set to play their next match on Monday, December 16, at 21:00, traveling to Nuevo Mirandilla to face Cadiz, another team fighting to avoid relegation.
If they advance past Ceuta in the cup, Elche will play in the round of 16 on Thursday, January 19. Next weekend, there is a home fixture against Osasuna, with timing to be confirmed.
Should Elche reach the quarterfinals of the King’s Cup, the matches would be played between Tuesday, January 24 and Thursday, January 26. The team will conclude a demanding run of fixtures at the Sánchez Pizjuán against Sevilla during the weekend of January 28-29, a period that currently places them in the relegation zone.
January 2023 will thus clarify Elche’s chances of remaining in the Primera Division.
Transfers and players returning from injury
As training resumes, Machín is looking to bring players back from the infirmary. Pol Lirola with a hamstring injury is in contention for January action. Left back Nico Fernández is recovering from a radius fracture, and Josan has a broken adductor; both expect to be back by the end of January, though their return remains uncertain.
Young forward John Chetatuya, whose fibula was broken, will not return before February. The emphasis in training will be on helping those recovering from injuries such as Enzo Roco and Diego González regain peak fitness. Machín also hopes for new signings, particularly in defense, to strengthen the squad.
John won’t be more than two months in Elche
JA Galvanized
Further training sessions will focus on players regaining match sharpness while keeping an eye on fitness progress across the squad. The coach intends to manage workloads carefully as the January slate tests depth and endurance across the roster.
With a growing injury list in mind, the team will rely on collective effort and resilience to navigate the month ahead. The aim remains simple: secure safety in the league and make meaningful progress in cup competitions, while building momentum for the challenges that lie in the second half of the season.