ELCHE 2 VALENCIA 1 (Sunday 24/11)
ELCHE 0 ATHLETICO MADRID 2 (Saturday 30/11)
A week ago yesterday saw Elche field a strange side for the local derby, where on-loan-from-Valencia Carles Gil didn’t play for the home side, probably politically . One of last year’s promotional successes Rivera took his place for his first game of the season, with Coro still on the bench.
In midfield ever-present Ruben Perez was out, his place taken by the Bosnian international Stevanovic, alongside Carlos Sanchez with Javi Marquez starting the game. Left back and dead ball specialist Edu Albacar was back after six weeks from injury, Cisma having deputised well. The new visitors section of the Martino Valero, high up in one corner was packed with noisy black, white and orange fans.
The pattern of the game was soon apparent as the visitors hit the bar on the quarter hour, looking a fast and efficient side, with Elche making several crucial, but unpunished errors, especially in midfield where Carlos Sanchez twice lost possession. Boakye managed one wayward shot in the first half, although time and again Valencis had chances with Elche goalkeeper Manu Herrera performing miracles. A minute from half-time Fidel was put clear through, but irritatingly hit the ball straight at the goalkeeper, half-time surprisingly still 0 – 0.
Only eight minutes into the second half and a thundering free-kick from the visitors hit the bar; by now Elche could have been four down. On the hour Coro replaced the disappointing Stevanovic, and immediately Elche were awarded a free kick wide left, just inside the Valencia half. ‘Welcome back’ Albacar’s long chip was beautifully flicked just inside the far post by Fidel, making amends for his earlier miss to put the Franjiverdes ahead and silence the opposition’s supporters. Back stormed Valencia and twice in quick succession the ball was cleared off the Elche line before with 18 minutes to go the visitors scored, at last, to cheer their faithful fans. But instead of going on to win it, the reverse happened: the final Elche substitute Christian came on to make his debut, and in a ‘Roy-of-the-Rovers’ moment was put through by Coro to crack in the undeserved winner with five frantic minutes left. But Elche survived to take all three points, and leave their neighbours stunned and speechless. But hey, that’s football…
Only six days later and another big home game saw some necessary changes made, with Ruben Perez back to face his old club, Carles Gil re-instated and Coro also back, arguably Elche’s strongest side. Could lightning strike twice and Elche repeat their trick on Athletico ? Well, for an hour the Illicitanos held out against a surprisingly subdued visiting attack, the home defence performing well and only the occasional effort troubling Herrera. Elche’s left winger Fidel can be extremely irritating to watch, he sees so much of the ball, but does so little with it. However on 24 minutes he found space down the middle and for once laid on a beauty for Boakye, but the big Ghananian striker blasted the ball miles over.
Oh, how that miss was costly, never again did Elche threaten as the visitors class became more and more evident. On the hour and an innocent-looking low Valencian cross was spilled by Herrera and from close in Koko scored, but it was hardly unexpected. As usual Elche coach Fran Escriba rang all three changes in an effort to get something from the game, but with 15 minutes left it was all over as the ball was chipped forward over Elche’s defence and a grateful Diego Costa made no mistake to wrap it up for Athletico to deservedly take all three points.
Yes, so Elche lost to Athletico, but as the mighty Madrid side put seven goals past no-slouches Getafe last week it was no disgrace. And yes, they were lucky against neighbours Valencia, but Elche have already played better and lost this scintillating season, at last back in the rarified strata of the top of Spanish football – the one that took them 24 years to rejoin. With statistics like won 4, drawn 5 and lost 6 that provides 17 priceless points which put the Illicitanos firmly in mid-table, and higher than some big Spanish names.
Mucho Elche!
PHOTOS KEVIN RENDALL
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/41720/
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