Nine losses, eight from the first team Elche travels to Tenerife for the 22nd LaLiga Hypermotion matchday this Saturday at 18:30, as the season resumes after the winter break. Only 18 players travel, including attacker Manu Nieto and goalkeeper Matías Dituro, who joined during the winter market. Edgar Badia is no longer on loan to Zaragoza. Both players who had wanted to depart did not join the squad, along with Raúl Guti and Lautaro Blanco. The coach explained that, as with the Catalan goalkeeper, the Franjiverde squad was “very sensitive” to the situation and that a week was given to sort out departures or rejoin the team. What remains clear is that the club sought financial compensation, and if it did not arrive they would not release players, according to the coach.
Elche go to Tenerife with nine losses: “I need committed people”
Elche faces a tough trip to Tenerife with nine defeats already on the board. The team is focused on building a competitive performance and expects players to demonstrate clear commitment, resilience, and unity. The squad recognizes that consistent efforts are essential to turning around a difficult run and to contributing toward a meaningful result away from home.
Loyalty
Beccacece clarified that he wants the players to stay and contribute, stressing a refusal to accept player departures. He noted that some players had featured in more than half of the season’s matches, underscoring the importance of determination and loyalty to the club. The objective was to secure ongoing commitment and ensure that everyone remains focused on the shared goal, even as tensions around transfers persist.
Elche also faces a handful of injuries ahead of the trip. In addition to Óscar Plano’s long absence, four more first-team players were added to the travel group due to illness. Fidel, Josan, Diego González, and Álex Martín will miss the journey, along with Adam, who is dealing with a hot streak. Even the coach acknowledged that Sergio León was not at 100 percent. The squad totals 18 players, and the manager stressed that everyone remains determined to contribute. The emphasis was on commitment and balling as a unit, rather than dwelling on individual setbacks, especially after the big injury that affected a key striker and disrupted rhythm and continuity, as seen in recent fixtures.
Schedule of matchday 22 of LaLiga Hypermotion and where to watch Tenerife-Elche on TV?
Elche must navigate a demanding schedule as they head to the Canary Islands. The focus is on tactical discipline, collective effort, and exploiting opportunities to collect points away from home. The team’s approach aims to be proactive rather than reactive, with a clear plan to control margins and maximize chances during the 90 minutes.
Go to victory
Elche, seeking its first win in Tenerife in 36 years, enters the fixture with a mindset geared toward victory. Beccacece has no excuses and asserts that the team will be the protagonist, aiming to take control of the match. The coach may deploy a lineup similar to the last Cup game, with Pedro Bigas’s recovery from a back injury shaping selection. San Román is likely to start in goal. The defense could feature Carreira, Mario Gaspar, Bigas, and Carlos Clerc, while John and Aleix Febas could anchor midfield. Rodri Mendoza would shield the defense, with Tete Morente and Nico Fernández Mercau on the flanks and Mourad at the point of attack. The bench will include Salinas, Borja Garcés, Nico Castro, and Cristian Salvador, along with three young players whose names were not disclosed by the coach.
In Tenerife, the defense will be organized by a compact back line, with the goalkeeper and the defensive quartet providing stability. The middle block will feature a mix of possession and pressing, while wingers will look to stretch the play and create space for attackers. The central pairing and the attacking trio will be tasked with finishing opportunities and maintaining intensity throughout the match.
“Very happy” with the additions
Regarding the two transfers, the coach expressed satisfaction with the impact of Dituro and Nieto. He noted that both players embody the qualities the team is pursuing: enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and the ability to adapt quickly. The emphasis remains on players who want to be part of Elche and contribute to the squad’s ambitions. Nieto’s versatility was highlighted, as his ability to interpret the game, advance the ball, and create space makes him valuable in multiple roles, including marking, forward references, and widening play on the wings. The coach indicated that decisions would be made based on daily form and readiness, and that at least one new player would likely debut in Tenerife.
Dituro’s arrival was framed as a strategic move that aligns with the team’s needs, including league experience and the right conditions for immediate impact. The coaching staff underscored the importance of adding a goalkeeper with proven capabilities and readiness to contribute in the near term. Dituro would bring maturity and reliability to the squad, helping stabilize results and support the back line.
As for Nieto, the coach emphasized his multi-positional capability, game understanding, and willingness to press and create space. These traits align with the team’s philosophy and strategic approach. The message was clear: the player pool should be dynamic, eager, and ready to compete for positions. The plan remains to assess day-to-day form to determine who will feature on match day. In this context, the upcoming game could feature one of the new additions in the starting lineup, signaling a fresh chapter for Elche in Tenerife.