Elche CF faced a tough setback this Sunday in Spain with a 0-1 loss. The defeat hit the Elche squad hard in the dressing room, leaving players knowing the match had slipped away. Although Darder found a late goal in extra time, the green-and-whites had controlled much of the game and created more chances. Still, they carried on with professionalism and a deep respect for the fans, determined to keep fighting even as the situation grew more challenging.
fatal blow for Elche
JA Galvanized
Fidel Chaves, one of the team captains, spoke with the same resolve shown by coach Pablo Machín. He emphasized that no one in the locker room feels defeated, reminding everyone that Elche is a club with a century of history. Giving up would be cowardly, he asserted. “As long as the points and the math allow it, we must fight for the shield we carry. And we will,” the Huelva native stated. The club honored him before the match for reaching 200 official appearances for Elche. [Elche CF club communications]
Pablo Machín: “Elche can do a little more to win a game”
david marin
Midfielder Frangiverde described the current period as “awful,” especially for the fans who travel to every game and walk away disappointed. The moment is painful, yet the team must stay in the fight. On the game, Fidel pointed to the small details as the decisive difference between Espanyol and the Elche performance. He noted that Elche sits among the best in its league, but mistakes are punished harshly. The red card shown to Carmona and the missed chances that could have shifted the scoreboard were cited as examples. [Elche FC post-match interview]
Fidel reiterated that Elche remains in a tense situation. He described the upcoming match against Espanyol as a key test because Espanyol is a direct rival and a win would boost confidence. When asked where the team will draw strength in this difficult stretch, he truthfully credited the 18,000 to 20,000 supporters who turn out to back them every game. “We must keep fighting for them,” he declared. [Elche FC press notes]
Huelva’s striker reflected on unforgettable moments with the club, acknowledging that this year has been the hardest but also the year he is most proud of his team and its fans. He emphasized that their story deserves admiration even when the results are brutal, and that the club’s history carries weight in tough times. [Club interview compilation]
“You have to hold on to every child’s dream and the emotion passed down year after year,” he added. The squad has faced a terrible stretch, but the shield, the passion, and the legacy of Elche remain. “We stand by the shield and the history that this club represents,” he concluded. [Team reflections]
“We must stay together, keep faith with our supporters, and give our best on every match day”, he stated, underscoring a collective commitment that remains at the heart of Elche’s identity. [Post-match summary]