Elche 2022/23 start has been rough. The Franciverde club opened the season with the worst possible results. Data tells the story clearly: one point from a possible 15 and a ledger of two goals scored versus 13 conceded. Recent matches offer little optimism. A 4-0 loss and a 1-4 defeat recently added to a difficult streak. Elche has been behind Villarreal and Athletic in the standings, and Cádiz sits just ahead in a painful position with none of the points yet secured.
The early stage of the championship does not excuse the poor panorama for Elche. The team must show a reaction that is overdue, and it has to happen soon. Supporters hoped the meeting with Athletic would mark a turning point, but defensive fragility persisted. The squad now faces a tougher path to secure the first win of the campaign.
Elche’s upcoming opponents
To change the mood, Elche will face another demanding test. The schedule ahead is not forgiving, with a trip to Camp Nou on Saturday, September 17 at 4:15 PM. Xavi’s Barca looms large, and only the Champions League fixture against Bayern might temper expectations. After a stumble against Rayo on the opening day, Barça followed with a dominant run, beating every opponent who stood in their way.
The only players who could trouble Lewandowski were Iraola’s Rayo and the Vallecas side, which sits next on Elche’s slate. There is a short international break before the World Cup in Qatar, giving teams a breather before a critical stretch. Afterwards, the local rivalry returns and Elche will have to look for luck away from home, with a visit to Rayo slated as their second away match. The game is scheduled for 9 PM on Monday, October 3, and Elche will chase their long-awaited first win of the season there, provided Camp Nou success hasn’t already occurred.
Raúl de Tomás to Rayo for 12 million but January return unlikely
El Rayo will begin a particularly tough October, with several fixtures in the calendar. Francisco’s squad will square off against teams that could become direct rivals: Mallorca, Espanyol and Getafe. The October slate also includes the Valencia derby, a marquee clash that pits Elche against Madrid. The schedule for these encounters remains to be confirmed as the month unfolds.
In the La Liga standings on day five, Real Madrid leads the way with fifteen points, followed by Barcelona with thirteen and Betis with twelve. Villarreal trails with ten, while Athletic and Atletico Madrid hold ten as well. Several of these clubs will be facing Elche in the near term, intensifying the challenge.
At the bottom, Cádiz sits with zero points, while Elche remains in the 19th spot. Getafe eyes a slightly more stable position, but the fight to escape the red zone continues. Valladolid, Seville, Espanyol and Almería also remain in the mix as the season progresses.