Elche CF had two matches away from home last week, they lost them both!
The omens were not good for Fran Escriba’s men on Wednesday night as they went against Unai Emery’s team. On the six occasions in La Liga that the Franjiverdes have faced the Yellow Submarine in the Cerámica stadium, they have never beaten then. This was to prove the case yet again. Within the first five minutes Elche CF were already 1-0 down, a punishment for the defensive failure to clear the ball. Elche gallantly swam against the tide with a bold move started by Fidel in midfield, continued by Josan, and finished by a powerful shot from Mojica. Elche set about creating problems for the Villarreal defence and Lucas Perez almost put the visitors ahead. The game changed following the referee’s failure to award a second yellow card to Pedraza for an obvious foul on Josan, that would have left the Yellow Submarine’s with one less crew member. Fran’s men were unsettled by this injustice, which had not even been viewed on VAR, and Trigueros promptly put Villarreal ahead just before the half time whistle. The second half can only be described as a disaster for the Franjiverdes who put in their worst performance of the season so far, resulting in a 4-1 thrashing.
On Sunday evening Elche CF played Europa League team Real Sociedad in the city of San Sebastián. A win would see Sociedad in second place in the table and a loss would see Elche plummeting towards the relegation zone. Unfortunately this became the reality. Both teams were evenly matched throughout the game and it would just be due to a stroke of luck that one team would emerge victorious. Luck was not on Elche CF’s side, despite the fact that they had two fantastic opportunities in the first half, when both Benedetto and then Lucas Perez had the goal at their feet. Sociedad had that lucky stroke on the 81st minute. Enzo Roco miss read a header which fell to Oyarzabal who easily circumnavigated keeper Kiko Casilla, and was gifted with an open goal.
The EuroTourGuide Coach is already available for booking for 11€ per person for Elche CF’s next home fixture against Celta Vigo at the Martinez Valero on Sunday the 3rd October for a 14:00 kick off.