A few weeks ago, everything seemed straightforward, but a defeat to a lower-ranked Levante and a brutal schedule—Barça, Valencia, Athletic, and Real Sociedad almost back-to-back—have dragged Francisco’s Elche into a tight spot. It feels like a final on the horizon, with Mallorca looming the next day. More than the result itself, Elche managed to cling to four valuable points during the run-in, yet concerns linger about the effect of a negative result against the Balearic Islands, who will soon face them under the leadership of Javier Aguirre. The moment calls for steadiness, and Elche’s instincts are finely tuned to detect danger at the neck and respond with resolve.
Even with a goal just three minutes later, Elche couldn’t breathe easily against Real Sociedad, who started brilliantly and then shifted to a compact, defensive stance. The team could have walked away with much more from football’s ledger—appearance, skill, and a touch of fortune—yet sometimes those elements shrink when they are most needed. It reads like a trainer’s playbook, possibly written by Imanol Alguacil, who adeptly handles different styles and crafts a tactical plan to surprise a side ten places higher on the table. Real Sociedad held on until the 94th minute, and Elche found it tough to break through but still showed resilience. This is the kind of virtue that fuels belief in this group; they can compete with stronger opponents even when they’re chasing the scoreboard. The task now is for the team to trust themselves in the upcoming league fixtures.
Silva is not a priest
Perhaps not Pastore Silva either. At Martínez Valero, the Canary presented a display more reminiscent of 2010 than 2022. Omar Mascarell, a compatriot, tried in every way to curb him. Enzo Roco even gave him a firm nudge. In Imanol’s setup, surrounded by players like Silva, Rafinha, and Mikel Merino, and two athletic forwards, the Spaniard was allowed to express himself freely. One moved quickly, as if a chest had been opened by a clever misdirection, and the other forgave with a finish reminiscent of Isak in a Williams-like role.
Silva’s performances were anticipated, and Pastore played a crucial role in bridging the distance when the midfielder landed in the city of palm trees. Not every game, but when it mattered, he delivered. The talented Argentine midfielder will return next week after a four-day ban following his suspension. A little more contribution from him would boost the squad’s prospects for the rest of the season. After all, Elche lacked the kind of influence Pastore brings, and Silva remains a clear reminder that age or past injuries do not necessarily prevent top-level impact.
Surgeon Francisco
If Imanol wins the first tactical duel against Francisco, then the Almeria coach might be onto something. He coaxed his team away from looking like a group of teenagers alongside older players during training, a sign that Elche’s effort level is rising. Physically, Elche was overwhelmed by Real and by the inconsistency of the officiating, which seemed to apply different standards depending on the area of the field. First, Diego González was fouled in a scenario that could have produced a penalty. Then Enzo Roco’s collision was ruled in a way that sparked debate, while Le Normand roamed free without visible sanctions in another instance. Between Real’s influence and the referee’s sway, Elche absorbed several blows to both offense and defense, with Pere Milla’s breakthrough attempts and defensive lapses contributing to a difficult night, especially given the absence of VAR intervention.
Francisco’s approach shifted away from a rout toward a more balanced contest, with Elche first threatening through Ponce, then pressing with intensity but not finding the finishing touch. The current situation feels worrying, particularly if it continues to tilt forward, yet the pulse of the squad remains resilient. That resilience carried them to the final clash with Mallorca. Now the question is whether the wolf has retreated or if Francisco and his men are stepping into a cave, surrounded by a pack ready to pounce in the closing stretch of the season.