Elche CF earned a valuable point with a 0-0 draw away at Villarreal in matchday 9 of LaLiga EA Sports, matching the result of their last outing. The team from Elche, sitting 18th in La Liga with 7 points from a record of one win, four draws and four losses, displayed impressive defensive resilience at the Estadio de la Cerámica to hold off a rival that dominated possession.
This result leaves Elche in 18th place in the standings with 7 points from nine games, now 20 points behind leaders Barcelona. The team has conceded 17 goals and scored 11 this season, making the defensive solidity shown on Tuesday a positive step.
Villarreal, with 57% possession, created more chances and managed 20 shots, but the Elche block was compact. Elche, who had 42% of the ball, registered seven shots on target and made 10 successful tackles. The first major chance of the game came in the 60th minute when referee García Verdura awarded Villarreal a penalty for a foul by Roy Revivo on Moleiro. After a VAR review, the penalty stood, but the home side's taker failed to beat the visiting goalkeeper.
Discipline was a factor. Centre-back Víctor Chust and full-back Roy Revivo, who was booked for the penalty incident, were cautioned by the official. "The referee García Verdura shows a yellow card to the Elche player in this league clash," was heard during the broadcast. Gonzalo Villar, Morente and Villarreal substitute Alex Freeman were also booked in a feisty encounter.
The Elche manager was forced into an early change when Sergio Aguado had to be replaced by Redondo in the 28th minute due to injury. Later, in the 65th minute, a triple substitution saw Fer Niño, Martim Neto and Morente enter to add fresh legs to the attack. Fer Niño, the team's top scorer this campaign with five goals in nine appearances, took a corner in the dying moments in search of a winning goal. Villarreal, meanwhile, made five changes, including the introduction of Gerard Moreno, but could not find a way through.
Elche CF showed character to take a point from a difficult ground, adding a point to their recent run of one win, three draws and one loss. The team now needs to translate this defensive strength into their match against Rayo Vallecano next week as they search for a win to climb the table.
More detail at La Vanguardia Deportes
