Aguado and Nico Return to Elche at a Crucial Moment

Elche welcomes back three key players for their upcoming match against Córdoba, the surprise team of the second half of the season. Coach Eder Sarabia will have midfielder Marc Aguado, playmaker Nico Fernández Mercau, and forward Agustín Álvarez at his disposal. Aguado will play with shoulder protection, Fernández Mercau has recovered from his latest muscle injury, and Álvarez has returned from international duty with Uruguay, where he did not feature under Marcelo Bielsa.

Sarabia stated on Friday that Córdoba is one of the opponents that "enhance the league." The Basque coach praised Córdoba's approach and the work being done by coach Iván Ania. "It's not just about recent history, being an important city, or being a contender. It's about daily work and providing entertainment, and Córdoba has been an example of great work last year and in previous seasons," Sarabia reflected.

The coach mentioned that Iván Ania has been a "professional reference because he is one of those coaches who offer something and is brave. It will be an exciting match for all football fans between two attacking teams that will seek to score more than defend," the coach argued, describing Córdoba as "one of the toughest opponents we have left until the end."

Sarabia expressed confidence that Córdoba, unlike other opponents, will not lose its "essence" to surprise Elche and that their players "are looking at the playoffs" despite the primary goal being survival. "Iván prioritizes what he feels and likes over results or a specific plan," the coach noted, dismissing concerns that his team might struggle with their poor away form, as they haven't won away from Martínez Valero in three months.

The Basque coach stated that he does not speculate about what might happen until the end of the championship and asserted that promotion "is not the goal, but the consequence."

Finally, the coach addressed the fans' demands and the boos that have accompanied the team at times this season. "We want to be promoted, ideally with four games to spare, but that probably won't happen. It's going to be a demanding stretch, and we need composure and balance. And we need the fans to understand and support us," he concluded.