Wednesday, October 4, brought a sobering moment for Elche CF as they dropped a 2-0 result at the stadium El Molinón-Enrique Castro Quini against Sporting Gijón. After nine rounds, Elche sat on two wins, three draws, and four losses, casting a shadow over their promotion ambitions. The Franjiverdes faced an uphill battle to climb back into the top spots and restore confidence within the squad and its supporters.
Head coach Sebastián Beccacece, speaking with unusual candor for a manager, warned that if the team failed to win the next match against Andorra, the owner Christian Bragarnik and the technical secretary Sergio Mantecon would review the situation and consider changes. The message was clear: progress was non-negotiable, and the staff would not hesitate to reassess the plan if results did not improve.
Beccacece’s image at Elche shifted as the team responded
This hard-nosed stance ultimately reached the locker room as well, serving as a catalyst for a noticeable turnaround. The squad then faced a tough challenge at Cornellà-El Prat, losing only to Espanyol, a club widely viewed as a favorite for promotion.
From the ninth matchday to the eighteenth, Elche accumulated 20 points with six wins, two draws, and one loss. If that stretch had continued throughout the season, Beccacece’s team would have led the table on points alone.
Score of matchday 9:
1- Elche 20
2- Leganés 18
3- Oviedo 16
4- Valladolid 16
5- Racing de Ferrol 16
6- Racing Santander 16
7- Sporting Gijón 15
8- ELDENSE 15
9- Eibar 15
10- Mirandés 13
11- Burgos 12
12- Español 11
13- Elevator 11
14- Andorra 11
15- Villarreal B 10
16- Tenerife 9
17- Huesca 9
18- Cartagena 8
19- Alcorcón 8
20- Albacete 7
21- Zaragoza 6
22- Amorebieta 5
The positive run propelled Elche from eighteenth to seventh place, building a cushion of seven points above the playoff zone, ten points ahead of direct promotion, and a single point clear of promotion thresholds as the schedule unfolded.
Elche-Alcorcón: a turning point in a season of signs of growth
New circumstances around the club contributed to this important momentum. The departure of key players, including Lucas Boyé, Pere Milla, and Ezequiel Ponce, signaled a transitional phase under Beccacece. The Argentine coach consistently emphasized that the squad was under construction, needing time to integrate new arrivals, and that definitive judgments would be possible only after the 23rd to 25th matchdays. Expectations remained high given the club’s recent relegation from a higher division and a relatively expansive salary cap in the lower tier.
Following the ultimatum, Beccacece faced some disruption, notably injuries to forward players, yet the team began to find its rhythm. A standout performance against Alcorcón showcased the Franjiverde style and resilience, underscoring a squad in the process of redefinition and growth.
ADAPTATION
Sticking to a distinctive approach while deepening League Two understanding
Beccacece remained committed to his ideas, applying them in a league that demanded pragmatism and adaptability. The coach continued to favor building from the back, seeking numerical advantages in midfield, and ensuring constant mobility to create opportunities on the wings. When opponents disrupted the preferred tempo, the team found practical alternatives, maintaining continuity and fluidity in possession over extended spells.
With this hybrid framework and growing team cohesion, Elche inched closer to stability and results. The style emphasized intelligent positioning, teamwork, and the willingness to switch gears when necessary, allowing the squad to stay competitive even in challenging fixtures.
DEVELOPMENT
Fewer losses, more goals for and against balanced
Since the ninth round, Beccacece made selective changes, including a goalkeeper swap to San Román, the club adapting to the new setup and players. The tactical evolution translated into better goal management. After the Gijón match, Elche had tallied five goals and conceded eleven; in the nine games that followed, they scored thirteen and conceded just six. For the first time in the season, the goal difference was positive, signaling real progress. Injuries to two forwards, Sergio León and Borja Garcés, did not derail the development, and the team pressed forward with renewed confidence.