The right-wing pairing of Pol Lirola and Álex Collado showed promise at the start of the league, thanks to Lirola’s pace and Collado’s creative instinct. The duo returned to action after a string of injuries and absences that had reshaped Elche’s options this season. The club faced a potential setback with Carmona’s muscle tear and the uncertain condition of Palacios, while the team also benefited from the recovery of a loanee from FC Barcelona who had been sidelined for a long period. Coach Sebastián Beccacece trusted Josan more in the early rounds, and although he appeared for just 25 minutes in three matches, the experienced trainer kept faith in the pair. A suspension for Gumbau added another layer of challenge for Beccacece as he reorganized the squad.
couple excited
Circumstances could push the Lirola-Collado pairing back onto the field, a combination that had linked up five times before the World Cup break. They combined to score two goals and had excited French fans before the season paused, and observers noted a noticeable increase in their quality with the new signings. The development around them remained unsettled, and this campaign with Elche felt almost unlike any other season to date.
Coach seeks resources
On Sunday, Beccacece reached into his reserves to balance the squad. Collado made his debut under the Argentine coach during the Osasuna-Elche stoppage period, though he had returned from a serious muscle injury, and his minutes were managed as Girona’s preview approached. He appeared in the most recent match, coming on for Raúl Guti in the first half as Elche sought to unlock the game’s key moments.
Meanwhile, Lirola stepped onto the field, replacing Colombian Helibelton Palacios. A notable gap appeared on the inside of his left thigh, and the change was made as a precaution while awaiting further testing.
Fidel stretched back into playing shape and rejoined the action after a layoff that dated back to a February fixture against Real Madrid. He had not played since then, a stretch that coincided with the Machín era and the World Cup break. Lirola’s earlier decisive moment came on November 8, when he scored the winning goal in Elche’s 1-2 defeat at Girona, a highlight that marked the last time Collado and the tandem were seen operating as inside forwards rather than as pure wingers.
Earlier meetings had seen Collado and Lirola involved—Elche-Almería ended 1-1 with Collado scoring, followed by Elche-Real Sociedad in which Elche narrowly dropped points. They also featured in Elche-Athletic Club and a home clash with Valladolid, with both players contributing at various stages. Since then, national-team duties, Collado’s injury, Lirola’s illness, and coaching decisions shaped their trajectories. The team’s evolving needs continued to define their roles.
numbers
In isolation, Lirola had played ten league games, starting seven and amassing about 612 minutes. His presence was a clear addition, even if the raw numbers did not fully capture his impact. Palacios had often been preferred for the right-back slot. Collado appeared in eleven games, starting eight and totaling 584 minutes. He also opened his Elche account against Almería. Some observers viewed this as a modest return for a player expected to lift the squad’s attacking output.
On the attacking side, Collado produced eight shots, with six on target, and he created a dozen goal-threatening situations through clever moves and dribbles. He also registered four blocked shots when defending. Lirola scored once and completed seven successful dribbles, contributing to Elche’s ball retention and creativity in midfield-wide play. The combined presence of Lirola and Collado added a dynamic dimension, even when the team’s broader results were not favorable.
equal ownership
When the two players shared the field, Elche often enjoyed at least parity in possession. Across six matches featuring both, the team’s share of the ball hovered between 44% and 55%, a meaningful improvement for a squad previously struggling to establish rhythm. By contrast, in other fixtures where the tandem did not line up, Elche battled for the ball much more and faced heavier times against stronger sides. Despite this relative balance, the pair could not secure a victory in those early meetings, recording five losses and one draw. The team collected 13 points from two wins and seven draws, highlighting how tricky results were despite the midfield spark they offered.
On a recent morning, the players returned to training together. Both are from the Barcelona system and have supported each other through a challenging start to the season. With Beccacece at the helm, there is now a higher likelihood of the partnership bearing fruit as the squad looks to rebuild. Players who had not yet debuted under the new manager include Enzo Roco, Gonzalo Verdú, Lisandro Magallán, and Pape Cheikh.
Related posts:
The goalscorers of Lionel Scaloni’s cycle in the Argentina national team Elche’s Machín era begins with a lean squad and a tough test Elche’s Battle for a Solid Defense in the Winter Window Beccacece Becomes Elche’s New Hope: First Three Games and Tactical Outlook Elche mantiene la esperanza pese a la derrota ante Getafe Elche edges Villarreal B as Fidel’s penalty seals late nerves and early momentum Beccacece’s Elche Debut: A Tactical Showdown With Barcelona Elche’s Path Back: Rebuilding After Relegation and What to Expect Next Season Elche defensive evolution and Mascarell’s pivotal role Elche CF Faces Key Absences as Palacios and Carmona Suffer Injuries Beccacece Faces Uphill Test as Elche Prepares for Andorra Showdown