Pere Milla Leads Elche to Their First Win of the Season, 3-1
In a season full of twists, Elche CF finally tasted victory last weekend when they beat Villarreal 3-1. The win, coming after a long wait, breathed fresh life into the squad and gave fans a reason to believe the momentum could build. Each game now carries more weight, and the team is focused on turning a bright moment into a lasting streak.
Following the blow of an earlier setback in front of the yellow submarine, coach Pablo Machín granted the squad two days off to reset. After a weekend and a Monday holiday, the players returned to training on Tuesday morning, carrying renewed optimism and the sense that three points can set a positive tone for the weeks ahead.
Between the Villarreal win and the next fixture, eleven days pass. Elche will not play this weekend, instead preparing for a demanding trip to the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid. The match, postponed from the traditional schedule, is slated for Wednesday, February 15, at nine o’clock in the evening. In Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad has a busy run, with the Club World Cup in Rabat occupying much of the calendar and the Spaniards hoping to stay sharp for the challenges ahead.
Real Madrid’s schedule sees them facing Al Ahly of Egypt in the first semi-final on Wednesday at 20:00. A victory would set up a potential final on Sunday against Flamengo of Brazil or the winner of a Saudi matchup against Al-Hilal. The juxtaposition of Elche’s league ambitions with Madrid’s continental distractions adds layers to a week already filled with tension and expectation.
As in Elche’s previous win, the outcome of the Mallorca defeat still colors the sense of what might unfold in the midweek clash. The team might be more fatigued, yet the victory last weekend injects confidence. The match on Wednesday, the fifteenth, looms as a potential turning point—whether it serves as a moment to gain momentum or simply tests the squad’s resilience under pressure remains to be seen.
Elche Prepares for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu
JA Galvanized
The Franjiverde side understands that every fixture must be treated like a final, regardless of the opponent. With that mindset, training has begun anew as the team braces for the high-stakes clash at the Bernabéu. The coaching staff is balancing recovery with tactical sharpness, aiming to lighten the load on players who have accumulated minutes and to raise the physical condition of others who have spent less time on the pitch or who arrive from the winter market with limited competitive rhythm.
The plan also includes a strategic window to rehabilitate an injury in the squad and to ensure a strong performance in the home fixtures that follow. Two home matches lie in wait after the Real Madrid test: Espanyol and Betis, both at Martínez Valero. A successful run in those games would significantly bolster Elche’s league standing and reinforce the sense that the season’s early promise is turning into a real, tangible path forward. Until then, the focus remains on savoring the taste of their first victory and translating that momentum into consistent league performance.
Two consecutive home fixtures loom as a concrete opportunity to build stability. Elche has endured tough stretches but knows that stronger showings at home can anchor their league journey. The club understands that the next results will shape perceptions of their competitiveness in the top flight and determine whether they can maintain momentum heading into the more demanding stretch of the campaign. For now, the players can enjoy the relief of a breakthrough win while preparing to test themselves against one of Europe’s most storied clubs.