Elche Team News - Soccer

Matias Dituro - Holds on for draw Dituro allowed a goal while making two saves during Monday's 1-1 draw with Deportivo.

Impact Dituro allowed the opening goal of the match in the 21st minute, but held Deportivo from there as Elche came from behind for a point. The keeper will find things more difficult next time out in a home clash against Barcelona.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

David Affengruber - Leader in blocks, tackles Affengruber took two off target shots, blocked a shot, made two tackles (winning both) and five clearances during Monday's 1-1 draw with Deportivo.

Impact Affengruber finished with the second most clearances on the team while leading Elche in blocks and tackles. The defender should remain a main fixture in the Elche back line following last season's 33 starts across 36 league appearances.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Marc Aguado - Nets game tying goal Aguado scored a goal with his lone shot while creating a chance during Monday's 1-1 draw with Deportivo.

Impact Aguado leveled the score with a goal in the 76th minute to earn a point for Elche. The goal matches all of last season's total for Aguado when he made 35 appearances for the club.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Villar - Assists with lone chance created Villar had an assist while taking two shots (two on goal), crossing once accurately and creating a chance during Monday's 1-1 draw with Deportivo.

Impact Villar set up Marc Aguado in the 76th minute assisting the game tying goal to earn a point for Elche. The assist was the first since the 2023 season in La Liga for Villar after appearing in 12 matches without an assist last campaign.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Grady Diangana - Ruled out for season opener Diangana (knee) is ruled out of Monday's season opener against Deportivo La Coruna, according to coach Martin Anselmi.

Impact Diangana had felt discomfort in his knee and asked to be substituted in a preseason friendly against Toulouse, moments after scoring the second goal in the 83rd minute with a shot from outside the box, and this update confirms the issue will keep him out of the opener. Manager Martin Anselmi has described his situation as the most complicated among Elche's squad heading into the match. No further details on the severity or expected recovery timeline have been disclosed. Diangana is expected to be reassessed as his recovery progresses.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Bigas - Fully recovered, available to play Bigas is fully recovered and available to play Monday, despite having not featured in minutes this preseason, according to coach Martin Anselmi. "Bigas, it's true he hasn't had min...

Impact Bigas had been dealing with discomfort that limited him to partial training during preseason, and this update confirms he has put that issue behind him. He was the defensive cornerstone of Elche's survival last season, finishing with a goal, three assists, 36 tackles, 29 interceptions and 107 clearances across 28 LaLiga appearances, and his availability positions him to reclaim that central role heading into the new season. Bigas is expected to compete for a starting spot as the season gets underway.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Yago de Santiago Alonso - Progressing well in recovery Santiago is progressing well in his recovery but will miss the season opener against Deportivo La Coruna, with a possible reintegration into the group within a week, according to c...

Impact Santiago underwent arthroscopic knee surgery back in May with the goal of being ready for this preseason, and this update points to steady progress even as his return to full training takes a bit longer than initially hoped. He finished last season with two tackles, an interception and five clearances across nine LaLiga appearances, mainly as a rotational option. Santiago is expected to continue his individual work before rejoining the group in the coming days.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Basel vs. Barcelona: Preview, Predictions and Lineups Barcelona play their penultimate preseason friendly in Switzerland before next Sunday’s La Liga opener with Elche.

3 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

Díaz thrives and Alaves beats 10-man Getafe 3-0 as La Liga kicks off Europe's domestic league season

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3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Deportivo La Coruna vs Elche Prediction and Betting Tips | August 17th 2026 The La Liga season begins with Deportivo La Coruna taking on Elche on matchday one at Estadio Abanca-Riazor on Monday.

4 DAYS AGO • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Ezequiel Ponce - Returning to Elche Ponce completed a transfer to Elche until the end of the 2026/27 season Friday.

Impact Ponce is back with Elche after playing for the team in 2021/22 and 2022/23. He didn't score a goal in the first half of the 2026 MLS season with the Houston Dynamo, but at the very least, he'll add depth upfront for them. He bagged 10 goals in the 2025 campaign.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

La Liga launches big European domestic leagues without Barcelona and Real Madrid

The Spanish league is the first of Europe's big domestic leagues to kick off this weekend less than a month after Spain won the World Cup

6 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Pedro Bigas - Trains fully with team Bigas (undisclosed) trained with the team Thursday, according to Deportes COPE.

Impact Bigas had been dealing with discomfort that limited him to partial training during preseason, so his full involvement now confirms he has put that issue behind him. He was the defensive cornerstone of Elche's survival last season, finishing with one goal, three assists, 36 tackles, 29 interceptions and 107 clearances across 28 LaLiga appearances, and his return to full training positions him to reclaim that central role heading into the new 2026/27 La Liga season.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Grady Diangana - Exits with discomfort after goal Diangana felt discomfort in his knee and asked to be substituted in Saturday's friendly against Toulouse, moments after scoring the second goal in the 83rd minute with a shot from...

Impact Diangana's injury is a concerning development given it puts him in doubt for Elche's LaLiga opener against Deportivo La Coruna on August 17, though the club has not yet issued a medical report or confirmed the extent of the issue. His status will be closely monitored over the coming days as Elche prepares to open the season without much accumulated match sharpness but a settled squad ready to compete.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Martim Neto - Returns to bench Neto (undisclosed) is fit for Saturday's friendly against Toulouse, included on the bench, according to the club.

Impact Neto had been dealing with discomfort that ruled him out of the earlier friendly against Cordoba, so his inclusion in the matchday squad now confirms he has recovered. He made 25 LaLiga appearances last season, contributing two goals and five assists, and his bench role positions him to build back toward regular minutes as Elche continues preseason preparations.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Matias Dituro - Starts in Toulouse friendly Dituro (shoulder) is in the starting squad for Saturday's friendly against Toulouse, according to the club.

Impact Dituro's return to the starting lineup confirms he has fully recovered from the shoulder injury suffered in the earlier friendly win over Kaizer Chiefs, which had marked the only sour note of manager Martin Anselmi's debut as Elche coach. His involvement in this match is a positive sign as he continues building toward the new 2026/27 La Liga season in goal for Elche.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Facundo Buonanotte - Loaned to Elche Buonanotte has joined Elche on a season-long loan from Brighton until the end of the 2026/27 campaign Friday.

Impact Buonanotte wasn't expected to have a big role at Brighton this season, but he should be a regular presence in midfield for an Elche side that's not expected to have a lot of creativity in midfield. The loan is for the entire season, but Buonanotte will have to return to Brighton for pre-season work in the summer of 2027.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

David Affengruber - Returns to club training Affengruber has returned to training with Elche following his World Cup campaign with Austira, the club posted.

Impact Affengruber had a quiet World Cup, included in Austria's squad but not featuring at all across the competition. He now returns to Elche, where he remains an essential part of the back line after being a key figure in the club's promotion to La Liga and their survival battle last season, standing as one of the center backs least prone to rotation on the roster. Affengruber made 36 appearances last season, recording 74 tackles, 51 interceptions and 178 clearances, and did so despite Elche not ranking among the division's best defensively.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Martim Neto - Suffers from discomfort Neto (undisclosed) is dealing with discomfort and was not available for Friday's friendly against Cordoba, according to Ismael Martinez of Todo Alicante.

Impact Neto made 25 LaLiga appearances for Elche last season, contributing two goals and five assists across 1,354 minutes, establishing himself as a regular contributor in midfield since joining from Benfica last summer. His current discomfort is a setback to monitor, and his path back to full training will be worth tracking as Elche continues its preseason preparations.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Nino - Joins Elche through 2030 Nino has completed a move to Elche from Burgos, agreeing to a contract through June 2030, his new club announced.

Impact Nino came through Villarreal's academy before loan spells at Mallorca and eventually a permanent move to Burgos, where he established himself as one of Segunda Division's more reliable forwards, scoring seven goals last season. With Alvaro Rodriguez and Andre Silva both departing Elche's attack, Nino could be in line for a starting role up front as the club heads into a new season in La Liga.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Matias Dituro - Trains fully with squad Dituro (shoulder) has trained with the rest of his teammates on Monday, according to Javi Teruel of Diario AS.

Impact Dituro's return to full training is an encouraging sign after the shoulder injury he suffered in the win over Kaizer Chiefs, which had marked the only sour note of manager Martin Anselmi's debut as Elche coach. His involvement suggests the issue was not serious, positioning him to continue building toward the two friendlies this week against Al Ain and Cordoba as Elche's preseason progresses.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Yago de Santiago Alonso - Still training apart in recovery Santiago (knee) still trains apart from the team as he continues his recovery, according to Javi Teruel of Diario AS.

Impact Santiago underwent arthroscopic knee surgery back in May with the goal of being ready for this preseason, and his continued individual work suggests his return to full training is taking a bit longer than initially hoped. He finished last season with two tackles, one interception and five clearances across nine La Liga appearances, mainly as a rotational option, and his path back to the group will be worth monitoring as Elche continues preseason preparations.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Bigas - Dealing with discomfort Bigas (undisclosed) is dealing with some discomfort during preseason and is training partially, according to Javi Teruel of Diario AS.

Impact Bigas was the defensive cornerstone of Elche's survival last season, finishing with one goal, three assists, 36 tackles, 29 interceptions and 107 clearances across 28 La Liga appearances, and his current setback is one to monitor given his importance to the backline. His limited work continues apart from the group, and his path back to full training will be worth tracking as Elche prepares for the 2026/27 La Liga season.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Josan - Extends contract through 2027 Josan signed a one year contract extension with Elche through June 2027, the club announced.

Impact Josan will begin his tenth season with the club, having made 281 official appearances to rank ninth on Elche's all time list. The captain has been part of several promotion campaigns during his decade with the club, including last season's effort to secure survival in LaLiga. His leadership and connection with supporters have made him one of the squad's most important figures. Josan is expected to continue serving as a key veteran presence for Elche as he begins his tenth campaign with the club.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Matias Dituro - Suffers shoulder injury Dituro was substituted after picking up a shoulder injury in Saturday's preseason win over Kaizer Chiefs, marking the only sour note in manager Martin Anselmi's debut as Elche coac...

Impact Dituro finished last season as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the relegation battle, recording four clean sheets and 64 saves across 22 La Liga appearances as Elche secured survival on the final day. His shoulder issue is a new concern to monitor heading into the new season, and further details on the severity of the injury should emerge as Elche continues its preseason preparations under the new coaching staff.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

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Díaz thrives and Alaves beats 10-man Getafe 3-0 as La Liga kicks off Europe's domestic league season

La Liga launches big European domestic leagues without Barcelona and Real Madrid