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Martin Anselmi's Bold Possession Plan for Elche vs Real Madrid Clash

Elche's Strategy Against Real Madrid: Hold the Ball to Defend

Elche head coach Martin Anselmi has called on his players to adopt a fearless, possession-heavy approach when they face Real Madrid at the Estadio Martinez Valero. Despite a tough challenge ahead, the Argentine believes controlling the ball offers their best chance to grab a first La Liga win this season.

Host Team Looks for an Upset

Elche recently drew 1-1 away against Athletic Club, adding a point to their La Liga tally. Yet, they remain winless in all competitions so far and have conceded an average of 2.6 goals per game. Their record against Real Madrid is bleak too, with no wins in their last 16 league matches against the capital side.

Coach Demands Courage and Possession

In his pre-match press briefing, Anselmi emphasized sticking to a brave tactical style despite facing top-tier opponents. He said, "The fact that we competed at San Mames makes us feel united and shows that this is the path to follow. For us, the best way to defend is to have the ball. I believe we must maintain the same defensive competitiveness from San Mames and defend ourselves with possession."

Warning Against Complacency

Aware of Real Madrid's sharpness, Anselmi stressed the need to stay alert throughout the entire match. He added, "They make difficult passages of play look easy and push you to the limit; we can't afford to give anything away and must stay focused for the entire match."

Madrid Faces Demanding Schedule

After a 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano and a tough Champions League clash with Inter, Real Madrid might rotate their squad. Coach Jose Mourinho aims to keep pressure at the top before the weekend's crucial capital derby. Meanwhile, Elche will be without injured Yago Santiago and need a near-perfect performance to stop a three-game losing streak in La Liga fixtures.

  • Date and Time: 15 September 2026, 22:30
  • Venue: Estadio Martinez Valero
  • Teams: Elche vs Real Madrid
  • Competition: La Liga
  • Elche's recent form: Winless so far, conceding 2.6 goals per game
  • Head-to-head record: Elche has not beaten Real Madrid in last 16 league meetings
  • Injuries: Elche missing Yago Santiago

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