One hundred and twelve days after their last encounter, Elche and Levante will meet again at the Martínez Valero stadium this Friday. The match pits Eder Sarabia and Julián Calero against each other, the two managers who guided their respective teams to become the most consistent sides in the Segunda División last season. This latest edition of the Valencian derby, now in the top flight, carries greater media attention and is set for a sell-out crowd, with no tickets remaining for public sale.
The one certainty in Elche’s starting lineup is captain and goalkeeper Matías Dituro, last season’s top goalkeeper in the second tier. Following the arrival of Iñaki Peña, manager Sarabia reaffirmed the veteran Argentine’s crucial role, stating in a press conference, “I’m very happy with Peña’s arrival, but Mati (Dituro) is in great form and will continue to play.” This statement temporarily settles the goalkeeping debate for the club.
After securing points against two European contenders, Elche is now seeking its first victory to cap off a strong return to the top division. The team will have a nearly full squad available, with the exception of Yago de Santiago, who is out with a ligament injury. A significant doubt remains over Rafa Mir, who finished the last match with an ankle problem. While he participated in some training, his inclusion in the starting eleven appears unlikely. On a positive note, Bambo Diaby and Josan Ferrández have fully recovered from their respective injuries and are available for selection.
Considering Levante’s more conservative playing style, Elche is expected to revert to the 4-3-3 formation used in the league opener. Portuguese midfielder Martim Neto, who has impressed as a substitute, could earn his first start. With Mir’s fitness in question and other strikers either departing or lacking match fitness, Álvaro Rodríguez is poised to make his third consecutive start after a standout performance against Atlético Madrid that included an assist.
Levante returns to the Martínez Valero with fond memories of their victory there nearly four months ago, a result that sparked a winning streak and ultimately secured them the league title. Manager Julián Calero has since adapted his tactics, shifting from a 4-2-3-1 to a five-man defense. This new approach nearly earned them points against both Alavés and Barcelona, only for the team to be undone by late goals in both matches.
Consequently, Levante arrives with zero points and a need to get on the board to quell any “doubts in the environment,” as Calero noted. The team will travel without defenders Kevin Arriaga and Alan Maturro, as well as forward Koyalipuo, who are all sidelined with injuries.
Off the pitch, Levante is also active in the final days of the transfer window. The club has already made ten signings, primarily free transfers with high resale potential. However, their plans could be disrupted by strong interest from Benfica in star player Carlos Álvarez.
Ahead of the match, Elche has successfully registered new goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, who will be available on the bench. Levante has also completed the registrations for midfielder Olasagasti and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, making them eligible for Friday’s clash.
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