Elche picked up their second victory of the season with an impressive performance at Mendizorroza and move up to 12th, on seven points, just eight weeks after winning the Promotion Play Off.
Alaves, playing their 500th top flight match, fell to their fourth defeat from six under Pablo Machin, and drop into the relegation zone.
Elche’s matchday squad contained six new signings and five of them featured for Jorge Almiron. Antonio Barragan and Ivan Marcone both started and performed excellently, particularly midfielder Marcone who made his La Liga debut on loan from Boca Juniors. Marcone worked with Almiron at Lanus in Argentina, and was one of five Argentines in the Elche squad.
Given the quantity of new faces, Elche’s performance was hugely encouraging. They switched between a back five and a back four fluidly, with players like Sanchez Mino (making his first start for the club) swapping positions with team-mates frequently, according to the needs of the team. Consequently the 5-3-2 shape comfortably morphed into a 4-4-2.
Alaves began as a 5-3-2. Ruben Duarte was suspended so Adrian Marin made his first appearance of the season at left wing back. Lucas Perez came into the team in place of Deyverson. The hosts were looking to build on their victory over Athletic Club just ahead of the international break.
Machin’s side did créate chances. Ximo Navarro went close twice and Rodrigo Ely wasted a free header on 28 minutes, after a delightful cross from debutant Jota Peleteiro.
Such profligacy would prove costly. On 39 minutes Elche changed tactic and went long with a goal kick. Pere Milla, Fidel Chaves and Tete Morente combined beautifully in the build up, and Milla applied an emphatic finish to register his first goal in the Spanish top flight.
For the visitors, newcomers Emiliano Rigoni, Guido Carrillo and Diego Gonzalez all entered the game from the bench. Alaves switched to a back four at half time, bringing on Victor Laguardia (coming back from injury) for Florian Lejuene. They did create further chances, two clear ones for Joselu who was wasteful. In the closing stages Elche looked fit and strong, and Milla struck the post late on after a Rodrigo Ely error.
The miss would prove inconsequential, because on 86 minutes Fidel crossed for Morente to steer home his maiden top flight goal and wrap up the victory. The goal was fine reward for the 23 year old who covered 12km before being substituted in injury time.
A late save by Edgar Badia denied teenage substitute Borja Sainz and preserved a third consecutive clean sheet for Elche. Almiron’s side are now unbeaten in three matches, and move above Valencia, who they host next week.
As for Alaves, they are now three points behind Elche having played two matches more. Next week they travel to Real Valladolid – the team directly beneath them in the relegation zone.
Images from Bein Sports and Elche CF
Wonderful write up.
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