The Valladolid coach, known to fans as Pacheta, warned through Efe that Elche faces a tense moment today. Despite sitting at the bottom of the table, he emphasized that pressure on the home side has eased and that Elche retains the quality to put up a strong fight, with a realistic path to goal, persuasive arguments, and several viable game plans ready to be employed.
“Elche is a squad that just earned a win, enjoys strong support from the home crowd, and plays in a stadium that adds intensity. They’ve started the campaign with solid momentum, so the team has worked all week to activate every player from the first whistle of the match,” the coach noted, speaking to Efe through clear and steady analysis.
“It won’t be easy. It will be a very tough game. We expect temperatures around 31 degrees, which will affect hydration and could raise the risk of cramps. The medical team and the nutritionist have prepared guidelines to handle these conditions in the best possible way,” Pacheta explained, outlining practical measures for match day performance.
This clash also marks Pacheta’s return to Martínez Valero since leaving Elche, a personal milestone that adds extra meaning to the fixture. Yet he stressed that personal feelings must be set aside to focus on securing three points, underlining that reaching 30 points with 13 games remaining would be a notable step forward for the season.
Pacheta returns to Elche amid the love of the stands and the indifference of the box
JA Galvanized
In a candid moment, Pacheta added that he carries a piece of his heart for Elche, a club he spent two and a half memorable years with. Although the breakup was painful, he praised the honesty and loyalty shown by the club, and he stated that the decision to move on was a professional one, made with respect for both sides.
Her green fringed heart
“This will be the one time I want Elche to lose. I still hold a part of my heart for the club where I spent such meaningful years. The relationship was never broken by betrayal—only by the natural evolution of a football career.”
Status of the team
Pacheta observed that Machís is in good form, though a choice remains on whether he starts or comes on later. He also noted that Javi Sánchez returned after becoming a father, which could lead to minor changes in the starting lineup compared to the set-up used against Espanyol. He added that adjustments are sometimes unavoidable due to evolving circumstances, but the squad delivered a strong, serious performance in the previous match. It was also highlighted that Get Kike Pérez is back after his sanction, and Javi Sánchez returns post-paternity, enabling strategic shifts for the upcoming clash.