Elche Leader Goes All Out Against Racing de Ferrol

Elche is going all out for promotion with almost the entire squad. Yago Santiago is the only player missing due to injury for the upcoming league match, following the confirmed recovery of Argentine winger Nico Fernández Mercau, a key player in coach Eder Sarabia's strategy.

The Basque coach stated this Friday that his team will need to control "all aspects of the game" to overcome Racing de Ferrol this Monday, a rival they host and for whom he showed great respect despite their critical position in the standings.

The Basque coach admitted in a press conference that the match could resemble others Elche has played at home this season, thus calling for patience to overcome the Galician team. "They are a rival with good players, alternatives, and at times aggressive. We will need to control the second play, the duels, and set pieces," said the coach, emphasizing that Elche must be "precise" in attack.

"I see the team train and I am optimistic, but with the utmost respect for a rival that already beat us in the first round and has never lost in Elche, so we also have a certain healthy and sporting desire for revenge," explained Sarabia, who announced several changes in the lineup for this match.

The Basque justified his and the team's enthusiastic celebration last Sunday with the fans upon arriving in Elche, noting that "in football, you lose more than you win, so it's about enjoying the good moments."

"We value things and what it has cost us to get here due to the rivals and the category we are in. We celebrate the leadership with respect and spontaneity and enjoy the things that happen to us," argued the coach, confirming that Yago de Santiago is the only absence for this match.

The coach, who will not be on the bench due to suspension, admitted that Elche will be keeping an eye on the results of matches between direct rivals and expressed confidence that his team will manage any potential "anxiety" if they fail to score early against a rival he noted "is not in a good moment, but has resources."