Elche CF used the FIFA break to play a preparatory friendly, beating FC Cartagena from the Primera Federación 3-0 at Campo Díez Iborra. The closed-door match last Friday allowed manager Martín Anselmi to give playing time to squad members who have featured less this season.
The team, sitting 18th in La Liga with 5 points from seven games, structured the match into two 60-minute halves with a hydration break at the 30-minute mark of each. This format enabled Anselmi and his assistant, Iñigo Vélez, to manage player loads carefully. Goals for Elche CF came from Grady Diangana, Josan Ferrández and Martim Neto.
Argentine centre-back Kevin Lomónaco, aged 22, played for 60 minutes. Anselmi shared minutes among most of the squad, focusing on those with limited opportunities so far this campaign. Goalkeepers Buba Sangaré and Yago de Santiago did not play but are expected to be available after the international window.
The squad will now begin a training camp in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, to prepare for the eighth matchday of LaLiga EA Sports. The next fixture is against Celta Vigo, who are 14th in the table, on the morning of Saturday 11 October at the Martínez Valero Stadium. Martín Anselmi outlined the group's schedule. "He will now grant the second rest of this window to a group that will return to work on Monday," the manager said.
With a recent run of one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five league games, Elche CF are aiming to turn their form around.
More detail at Plaza Deportiva
