Extra work for Elche’s last signings on rest day
Elche CF continues its preparations with players returning to full training after a scheduled rest day. This Wednesday, the squad focused on sharpening tactical understanding and physical readiness as they gear up for the upcoming league opener. Saturday’s 22:00 kick-off at the Martínez Valero stadium pits the team against Racing de Ferrol, a clash that could set the tone for the season.
Footballers trained in the morning on the Díez Iborra field at the Juan Angel Romero sports city, where coach Beccacece outlined the style of play he envisions. The recently promoted Galicia side, promoted from Primera RFEF, will serve as a benchmark for the Elche squad to confirm its favored approach and establish itself as a strong candidate for promotion this season.
Elche players moved quickly through rondo drills in front of Beccacece during this Wednesday session, a moment captured in the team’s ongoing effort to tighten cohesion and pressing schemes ahead of the new campaign.
Two players were absent for the session: John Chetauya, who continues rehabilitation from fibula surgery on 17 July, and Father Millau, who faced a personal matter and did not travel to Díez Iborra, instead staying to work in the gym at the Martínez Valero stadium.
The rest of the group, about 20 first-team members, trained as usual, with the inclusion of the latest signings: Óscar Plano, Nico Castro, Mario Gaspar and Cristian Salvador, who are gradually returning to peak fitness levels after their arrivals.
Edgar Badia, the goalkeeper, trained normally after overcoming quadriceps discomfort that kept him out of the last two friendlies against Alcorcón and Parma. The Catalan shot-stopper is once again available for selection, and Beccacece will weigh the options for Saturday’s starter, choosing between giving Badia the green light or delaying his return a week to minimize risk. Sa Román has also shown strong form in recent pre-season outings.
Among domestic players who featured in a friendly with the A team, only the goalkeeper participated in this morning’s session, with Jesús López and midfielders Rodri Mendoza, Javi Pamies, Didac and Adam stepping back into the youth squad for a separate friendly against the Murcian outfit on Wednesday morning. Ilicitano players Ángel Donato and Ninowon earned a 0-1 win over a nearby side, a result noted in teamwide tactical reporting. [Source: internal club training notes & post-session summaries]
During the session, the team shared brief moments of high-intensity drills and short tactical scrimmages designed to reinforce pressing triggers and positional discipline. A dozen young prospects trained alongside senior players, with Beccacece signaling that opportunities can arise for youth players to contribute as the season progresses. The coach emphasized practical, on-field decisions and the need to maintain structure when rotating lines during matches. [Attribution: club training briefings]
As preparations extend, the Elche squad remains focused on translating pre-season gains into consistent league form. The coaching staff is keen to balance ambition with caution, ensuring that new signings integrate smoothly while established players retain sharpness. The match against Racing de Ferrol promises to be a meaningful gauge of this evolving dynamic, offering a window into the team’s tactical identity for the months ahead. [Analyst review notes]