The training ground at Díez Iborra, part of the Juan Ángel Romero sports city, hosted Elche CF this midweek following a brief break. After a quick return on Tuesday, the coaching staff led by Machín organized a single training session to keep the squad fresh. The plan prioritized leg recovery ahead of a notable Thursday evening fixture on December 8 at 20:15, a special event in the Festa d’Elx celebrations that will see the team face Leeds United from the Premier League.
Machín continues to refine the squad, with observers noting an increase in integration and cohesion among players and the coaching staff. The sessions at Díez Iborra have become markedly intense and purposeful, and the group appears highly receptive to the cues from Soriano and the rest of the technical team. The atmosphere around training is positive, with players showing open communication and a shared focus on tactical alignment.
Three regulars missed part of the session. Enzo Roco continues a cautious return from an Achilles issue and works in the gym at the Martinez Valero complex to regain strength. Tete Morente remains in the later stages of recovery from a fibrillar rupture suffered in the King’s Cup match against L’Alcora, guiding a gradual reintroduction to full activity. Diego González also stayed out, handling a muscle ailment away from the group training with his teammates for the day.
Tete Morente’s injury updates and squad adjustments
The absence of Morente has prompted Machín to call upon four local players to reinforce the group. Carles Marco, a right-back, and central defender Manu Cocca, along with midfielder Bane Knezevic and another capable defender, have all been integrated into first-team training. These players joined the ongoing concentration period at Oliva Nova Golf and participated in the same training block as the rest of the squad. Their inclusion reflects the coach’s flexibility and readiness to adapt the lineup when needed.
Machín’s plan is clear: the four locally-based players possess multiple options as they approach tomorrow’s Festa d’Elx clash with Leeds United. The manager’s intent is to manage minutes carefully, mirroring the approach seen in the prior fixture against West Bromwich Albion, with a preference for preserving energy and preventing fatigue. The goal is to ensure participation remains strategic rather than exhaustive, keeping the squad fresh for the final stages of the match. If necessary, several players could contribute in limited spells to maintain balance and competitive intensity.
The schedule includes another friendly on Saturday at 10:30 at the Martinez Valero stadium against Genk, the current leader in Belgium’s top flight. This additional test provides a benchmark for Elche’s tactical development and fitness progression as they prepare for upcoming domestic and international challenges. The club’s broader objective centers on building depth and cohesion, ensuring every available option can contribute when called upon.
As the Festa d’Elx event approaches, the team remains focused on a controlled approach to training and match readiness. The coaching staff emphasizes balance between intensity and recovery, aiming to optimize performance without risking unplanned strain. The adaptation of locally trained players into the first team underlines a long-term strategy of talent integration and sustainability within the squad, a hallmark of a club steadily aligning its resources with competitive demands. Citations: official club communications and in-house reporting on training and selection decisions.