Elche and Huesca drew 0-0 at the Estadio Martinez Valero in Week 5 of La Liga Santander, in the first ever top flight meeting of these two teams.
Michel’s Huesca dominated the game in terms of possession and chances created, but failed to convert their opportunities. Their clearest chance fell to Mikel Rico on 55 minutes: he scuffed his shot with the goal gaping. There were also opportunities for Rafa Mir, David Ferreiro and Juan Carlos Real but the visitors were profligate in front of goal.
Elche defended with concentration and seemed happy to gained one point, building upon their midweek win at Eibar.
Elche began the game with a 5-4-1 formation with Luismi Sanchez (usually a midfielder) at centre back. Pere Milla was omitted from the starting XI after picking up an injury in the warm up, but he was sent on at half time.
Elche manager Jorge Almiron selected Youssef Kone at left wing back but withdrew him on 37 minutes – he confirmed this was a tactical decision. He was replaced by Argentine debutant Juan Sanchez Mino who slotted comfortably into central midfield with Fidel Chaves moving to left wing back. Once Milla replaced Omenuke Mfulu at half time the hosts carried slightly more attacking threat, but in the entire game they only fashioned two chances – both for Lucas Boye. The first, he headed over after a cross by Fidel; the second, he dragged wide after dribbling beyond Dimitris Siovas.
Elche move on to four points from three fixtures and climb out of the relegation zone. Huesca have now lost only one of their opening five matches – they’ve drawn with Villarreal, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Elche. Michel played a 4-3-3 with Borja Garcia the most advanced of the three midfielders. Shinji Okasaki was injured in the first half and replaced by Javi Ontiveros (with Rafa Mir becoming the main striker).
Despite dominating the game, Michel’s side could not beat Edbar Badia in the Elche goal and have now scored just two goals in their five matches. After the game defender Pablo Insua said that “the opening five performances make us happy, but not the points we’ve gained because we deserve more.”
Michel concurred: “At Valencia we dominated and deserved to win, and it’s the game again here today. It’s clear to see that we dominated from start to finish.”
The Aragonese side have now kept consecutive clean sheets, but will be looking to find a more clinical edge in attack.
Images from Area de Penalti and Estadio Deportivo
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