These are challenging days for Elche and their home ground, Martínez Valero, as fans, players, coaches, and staff confront a week that has tested the team’s resilience. The club and its supporters face one of the toughest stretches in recent memory as Primera RFEF standings tighten and the threat of relegation looms just a point away. What began the season as a hopeful campaign for promotion has given way to anxiety and disappointment across the Franjiverde community.
The players know expectations were high, and results have not met those hopes. Head coach Sebastián Beccacece, who arrived with ambitions of leading the club back to prominence, has publicly acknowledged the pressure after last Wednesday’s match in Gijón. The frustration was palpable, a sign that the path to rebuilding confidence will require careful handling and renewed focus. If Elche cannot secure a win against Andorra on Monday at 19:00, scrutiny over the coach’s tenure will intensify, underscoring a pivotal moment for leadership and strategy.
Beccacece’s role is scrutinized from within and outside the club
Elche’s current predicament has prompted a strategic decision: to conduct the entire week’s training sessions behind closed doors at Martínez Valero. The aim is to shield the players and staff from external noise and media attention, allowing them to concentrate fully on preparation for the clash with Andorra. Such discipline is intended to help the squad regain focus and set a clear path forward, turning a bleak spell into a decisive turning point.
Typically, Elche’s routine involves training at the stadium on the day before matches or for a few days when the coaching staff wants to emphasize specific tactical or technical aspects, all while protecting the home base. The club has kept to this approach, shaping a weekly plan that aligns with the short-term goals of the team and the demands of a tight league race.
The team was expected to begin the next training session on Thursday afternoon, following the Gijón game. The layout of the facilities and the field has recently seen updates, with Díez Iborra’s grounds receiving attention as part of ongoing improvements. On Thursday, a decision was taken to move the session to Martínez Valero, a measure designed to keep players away from outside distractions and to shield the squad from the spotlight as they prepared to face Andorra.
Training venue changes to protect focus and performance
The same approach continued the following Friday, and the scenario was repeated on Saturday. While there were initial concerns about the playing surface, the priority remained protecting the team’s preparation from external interference. The decision could carry potential consequences for the grass, but the priority was to maintain a controlled environment that supports steady training and strategic cohesion.
Looking ahead, replanting and maintenance plans were scheduled to begin after the Andorra match. Royal Green, the company responsible for field upkeep, planned to take advantage of Elche’s upcoming away games against Eldense and then at El Alcoraz in Huesca to perform winter seeding and turf restoration. This approach aims to ensure the surface remains in prime condition for the remaining fixtures of the season.
Grass maintenance and future fixtures
Despite heavy training demands and some pressure on the pitch, the club expects the turf to withstand the workload without compromising quality. The week’s efforts reflect a broader strategy to stabilize performance while safeguarding the home venue for future matches. The ultimate goal is to reverse the current negative trend and rejuvenate confidence across the squad and its supporters, setting the stage for a positive shift in results as the season progresses.