Anselmi: "The first victory could not come from another
According to Mundodeportivo.
Context
Fede Redondo, an Elche player, played a central role in the match, but his direct expulsion drastically changed the dynamics of the game. The situation required the team to come together and adapt, showing the importance of collective work in La Liga. Redondo's management and his discipline on the field will be points of attention for Anselmi in the coming weeks.
Why this matters
Elche's victory, under the leadership of Martín Anselmi, represents a crucial turning point in the team's La Liga season. After several defeats, this triumph not only relieves the pressure on the coach, but also reinforces the morale of the group, which has been fighting hard without seeing results. The resilience demonstrated, even with the expulsion of Fede Redondo, highlights the team's determination to overcome adversity.
Main conclusions
- Anselmi: "The first victory could not come from another.
- Martín Anselmi celebrated his first victory at the helm of Elche, highlighting the team's resilience against Espanyol after playing more than 90 minutes with 10, due to the expulsion of Fede Redondo.
- Anselmi: "The first victory couldn't arrive any other way."
Martín Anselmi could not hide his relief and pride after Elche's hard-fought victory against Espanyol, in a game marked by the direct expulsion of Fede Redondo that left the Illicitos with one minus for more than 90 minutes. The triumph, the first in this era with the Argentine coach at the helm, was received as an emotional and competitive turning point for a group that, in the words of the coach himself, has worked hard without always receiving due reward in the result.
"We celebrated this victory a lot. I'm proud of the players; it's a triumph for them", reinforced Anselmi in the aftermath, highlighting that in football the true reward for effort and daily work is winning. The coach admitted that the team left too often “empty-handed” in other matches, so this outcome, achieved with numerical inferiority practically from the beginning, had a special flavor. “The first victory could not come in any other way than ‘at Elche’”, he stressed, highlighting the combative identity displayed against a demanding opponent like Espanyol.
Fede Redondo's expulsion conditioned the plan, but Anselmi preferred to focus on the immediate. He assumed it was a costly mistake, however, he chose to look “ball by ball”, without wasting time regretting it or looking at the clock. The message to the group was clear: think, work and be together. The team followed the playbook, resisted and knew how to suffer, closing spaces and reducing the lines to minimize damage, while trying to have possession whenever possible to breathe and continue with the plan.
At half-time, the coach once again insisted on the principles: compact block, blocking the runners, not sinking the line too much and, above all, holding the ball when the opportunity arose. Anselmi also revealed that, weeks before, Elche had trained scenarios of extreme numerical inferiority — “10 against 14” — precisely to work on the bloc's solidarity and ability to resist without suffering. The preparation paid dividends: if it was possible in this simulation, it would be possible against 11.
For the Argentine coach, this result reflects the character of a locker room that remained united in difficult times. The performance, made of sacrifice and organization, can serve as a foundation for what is to come, strengthening the confidence of a team that has shown it knows how to compete when circumstances are toughest. Against Espanyol, Elche scored a victory that, for Anselmi, reflects his idea of the game and the culture of resilience that he intends to ingrain in the club.
What happens next
With their first victory secured, Elche will be hoping to build on this success in their upcoming La Liga matches. Anselmi must work to correct the mistakes that led to Fede Redondo's expulsion, ensuring that the team maintains its combative identity. The focus will now be on continuing teamwork and improving performance, especially in games against demanding opponents like Espanyol.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the match between Elche and Espanyol?
Elche beat Espanyol in a match marked by the expulsion of Fede Redondo, which left the team with one player less for more than 90 minutes.
Who confirmed the importance of Elche's victory?
Martín Anselmi, Elche's coach, confirmed the importance of the victory, expressing relief and pride in the team's performance.
Why is the victory considered a turning point for Elche?
The victory is considered a turning point because f
hi the first under the command of Anselmi and represents a reward after a lot of work without positive results in previous games.
What tactical changes were implemented by Elche during the game?
Anselmi called for a compact block approach, blocking runners and holding the ball whenever the opportunity arose, especially after Redondo's expulsion.
What was Anselmi's reaction after the victory?
Anselmi celebrated the victory, highlighted his pride in the players and emphasized that the true reward in football is winning after daily effort.