Anselmi Calls on Elche to Use Possession Against Real Madrid
Elche welcome Madrid on Tuesday still searching for their first victory of the season, with Anselmi urging his side to meet the visitors through possession and sustained defensive discipline.
Why the fixture matters
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Elche’s last result | Athletic Club 1-1 Elche |
| Elche’s current winless run | All competitions, this season |
| Goals conceded per game | 2.6 |
| League meetings without an Elche win against Madrid | 16 |
| Madrid’s previous league result | Madrid 4-1 Rayo Vallecano |
The point at San Mamés on Saturday gave Elche something to build on after a difficult opening to the campaign. They remain without a win in any competition, however, and their defensive record has been a major concern, with 2.6 goals conceded on average per match.
The task is made tougher by Elche’s recent league history against Madrid. The hosts have not beaten the capital club in their past 16 top-flight encounters, while they also head into Tuesday’s match having lost each of their previous three Tuesday league fixtures.
Anselmi said the display against Athletic had reinforced the belief within his squad, arguing that the performance showed the direction the team must continue to take. The Argentine wants Elche to use the ball as their principal method of protection rather than simply retreating against high-level opposition.
“Competing at San Mamés brought us together and confirmed the route we need to follow,” Anselmi said. “For us, possession is the strongest form of defending. We need to keep the defensive competitiveness we showed there and protect ourselves by keeping the ball.”
He also stressed that Madrid’s ability to turn demanding moments into straightforward opportunities leaves little room for lapses. Elche, he said, must remain alert from the opening whistle to the final minute and cannot offer the visitors avoidable chances.
Madrid balancing league pressure and Europe
Madrid arrive after beating Rayo Vallecano 4-1 and following a demanding Champions League meeting with Inter. Jose Mourinho may make changes to his side, but the visitors are still pursuing a maximum return as they seek to keep pace at the summit before this weekend’s capital derby.
Elche will again be without the injured Yago Santiago. Their challenge is to reproduce the resilience shown in Bilbao while finding the controlled possession Anselmi believes is essential against a side capable of punishing any loss of concentration.
Unresolved selection questions
Madrid’s line-up remains uncertain after their European commitment, while Elche must decide how to compensate for Santiago’s absence as they pursue the result that would end their season-long wait for a win.
