Few could have predicted that recently promoted Elche CF would become one of the league’s early surprises in the high-stakes world of La Liga, where powerhouses like Barcelona and Real Madrid frequently dominate the headlines. With a perfect unbeaten record of three wins and four draws, 13 points from 10 goals scored, and just six goals given up, the Franjiverdes are comfortably in fourth place after seven games as of October 2, 2025.. This remarkable start has not only silenced doubters but also earned their Basque coach, Eder Sarabia, the La Liga Manager of the Month award for September, marking the first time an Elche tactician has received such an honor. What began as a return to the top flight following promotion from Segunda División has quickly evolved into a statement of intent: Elche are here to compete, not just survive.
A Blistering Start: Performance and Key Results
After finishing second in the second division with a record of 22 wins, 11 draws, and nine losses, Elche earned promotion last season after a fierce battle. However, they have adapted to La Liga with ease, despite the usual difficulties faced by promoted teams. They currently trail only Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Villarreal in the standings, having equaled the output of well-established contenders like Villarreal and Atletico Madrid with an average of almost two points per game thus far.
On August 23, their campaign began with a 1-1 draw away at Atlético Madrid, showing that they could stand up to one of Spain’s best defenses. Next, on August 29, the team won 2-0 at home against Levante UD, setting an early standard with their clinical finishing. September brought a mix of wins and losses, but they were all wins: a thrilling 2-2 draw at Sevilla FC on September 12, a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Osasuna on September 25, a narrow 1-0 home win against Real Oviedo on September 21, and a confidence-boosting 2-1 win over Celta Vigo on September 28. These results highlight Elche’s ability to grind out points on the road while dominating at the Estadio Martínez Valero, where average attendances have hovered around 27,000, a testament to the growing excitement in Elche.
Elche Under Eder Sarabia: A Tactical Symphony of Possession and Pragmatism
Under Eder Sarabia, Elche CF’s 2025–26 La Liga campaign is a masterclass in positional discipline with adaptability, not just about results. A promoted team became a possession powerhouse under Sarabia’s system, finishing third in the league with an average of 57%. This isn’t the same old Barcelona echoes; it’s changed, using mid-high blocks and third-man runs to take advantage of gaps while still going undefeated after seven games. The outcome? A team that demonstrates that promotion does not equate to survival mode by shocking powerhouses like Atletico Madrid with 1-1 draws.
Only eight undefeated teams left in Europe’s top five leagues 🌟
Bayern: 5W, 0D, 0L
Dortmund: 4W, 1D, 0L
Barcelona: 6W, 1D, 0L
Palace: 3W, 3D, 0L
Atalanta: 2W, 3D, 0L
Cremonese: 2W, 3D, 0L
Elche: 3W, 4D, 0L
Juventus: 3W, 2D, 0L pic.twitter.com/0OA4swhE3r— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 29, 2025
Reference Lineup and Rotational Fluidity
Sarabia’s go-to 4-3-3 anchors Elche’s identity, featuring Edgar Badia in goal, a back four with versatile defenders like Bigas and Polentini, a midfield pivot of Febas (the deep-lying controller), Assane (the box-to-box dynamo), and Mario González (the creative linker), and a front three of André Silva (target man), Rafa Mí (wide runner), and Josan (crossing specialist). Rotations are key to freshness. Silva might drop deep for build-up, while Assane surges forward.
1. Offensive Structure: Funneling Chaos into Control
Elche’s attack begins from a foundational 4-3-3 that dynamically shifts into more elaborate forms like 2-3-1-4 or 3-2-1-4 during possession. By reducing the width at the base, full-backs tucking in narrowly, and positioning two forwards high as pinning references, the team methodically conditions the rival’s defensive structure. This setup funnels opponents into predictable patterns, creating exploitable gaps centrally or wide, as seen in the image where progressive passes slice through compressed lines, turning build-up into immediate threats.
2. High Man-to-Man Presses: Geometric Disruption
In man-to-man scenarios, Elche isolates 2v2s from Badia, with interiors opening for flat passes and forwards running
3. Provoking Opponent Jumps: Bait and Surge
To generate jumps from the rival, Elche deploys a 3-1 structure with the right-back intentionally closed off, baiting aggression. The relationship between center-backs and the midfield draws the opponent’s winger inward, enabling progression wide before capitalizing on interior overloads, especially when the rival midfielder lags behind.
4. Goalkeeper as the Third Man: From Vulnerability to Superiority
Badia plays a pivotal role as the third outlet in build-up, converting a vulnerable 2v2 against forwards into a superior 3v2. His advanced positioning, often 10 yards off his line, facilitates rapid turns and widens passing angles, directly opening lanes for the Midfielder progression.
5. Against Low Blocks: Clustering for Crosses
Facing compact low blocks, Elche uses square passes to huddle rivals centrally, then drops deep to the flank to sink the backline, freeing a winger for a near-post. The initial clustering draws the defense in, as shown in the image, where Josan’s deliveries overwhelm the box. This methodical unraveling turns possession dominance into aerial threats, aligning with Elche’s high crossing volume this season.
6. Securing +1 in the Final Line: Rebound Exploitation
Against less fluid, direct teams, Elche ensures a numerical +1 in the last line with two forwards versus three center-backs, jumping on the receiver and passer immediately after the touch. This setup forces shots into specific zones where Elche’s 1v1 defenders, like Bigas, hold strong advantages.
Conclusion
Elche’s ascent isn’t luck; it’s Sarabia’s unyielding belief in process. Their unbeaten streak since May, coupled with September’s near-perfect record (two wins, two draws), has them in Champions League spots, a dream scenario for a club that was in the second division just 1 year ago. As Sarabia himself reflected post-Osasuna: “This point has so much value… we’ve shown what we’re made of.”
With upcoming fixtures against mid-table sides, Elche have momentum on their side. If they maintain this blend of steel and silk, the Franjiverdes could gatecrash Europe’s elite conversation. In a league of surprises, Elche aren’t just performing, they’re redefining what promotion sides can achieve. The fans know it: the revival is real, and the best is yet to come.
