Elche CF suffered a heartbreaking late defeat at home to Real Sociedad on September 7th, a result that complicates their start to the LaLiga season. The Ilicitano team conceded the winning goal in the 90th minute after having fought back from a 0-2 deficit.
The club heads into the fourth matchday sitting 19th in the standings, with just one point from a possible nine. Their record shows zero wins, one draw, and two losses, having scored three goals and conceded nine.
What happened in the match against Real Sociedad?
The game at the Martínez Valero, in front of 25,562 spectators, was a rollercoaster. Real Sociedad took the lead with goals from Job Ochieng in the 11th minute and Yangel Herrera in the 32nd. Elche, however, mounted a comeback in the second half.
New signing Thomas Lemar, coming off the bench, scored to make it 1-2 in the 67th minute. Fer Niño, another substitute, completed the home side's fightback by netting the 2-2 equalizer in the 74th. The local joy was short-lived, as Luka Sučić, also assisted by Ochieng, struck the definitive 2-3 winner in added time with a powerful left-footed shot.
What were the lineup changes for Real Sociedad?
The visiting manager, Pellegrino Matarazzo, made six changes to his starting eleven. The main news was the debut of defender Mamadou Sarr as a Real Sociedad player, who partnered with Zubeldia at centre-back.
Matarazzo also changed goalkeepers, handing a start to Marrero over Remiro. In attack, Gonçalo Guedes made his first start of the season and Job Ochieng returned to the lineup. Captain Mikel Oyarzabal was the only player to keep his place for a fourth consecutive matchday.
Who is Elche CF's new signing?
The Ilicitano club has strengthened its squad with the arrival of French midfielder Thomas Lemar. According to the official statement from Atlético de Madrid published on September 1st, the player joins Elche CF on a season-long loan for the 2026/27 campaign.
Lemar arrives with an impressive pedigree, including the 2018 World Cup with France and a LaLiga title with Atlético in 2020/21. During his eight years at the Madrid club, he played 186 official matches, scoring 10 goals and providing 19 assists. His signing aims to add experience and quality to the midfield, though he currently features on the team's injury list alongside Adam Boayar, Yago Santiago, and Fernando Niño.
What is the team's situation in the table?
The defeat leaves Elche CF in a difficult position early in the championship. With just one point, the team occupies 19th place and finds itself eleven points adrift of the leaders, FC Barcelona.
The negative goal difference (-6) reflects the defensive issues the team must urgently address. Mistakes at the back, as defender Pedro Bigas noted after the match, are being punished. "We are being penalized for mistakes, that's the reality, but these are things that have to be corrected," the player stated.
What's next for Elche CF?
The schedule does not get any easier for the Franjiverde team. Their next fixture is a trip to San Mamés to face Athletic Club on September 12th. The Bilbao side currently occupies ninth place in the LaLiga standings.
This away match represents a new challenge for a team that urgently needs to start picking up points to climb out of the relegation zone. Fans can check all the details of the match and the rest of the schedule on our fixtures page.
