ELCHE NEWS

Edgar Badía - Concedes four against Real Madrid Badia made nine saves and conceded four goals during Wednesday's 4-0 loss against Real Madrid.

Impact Badia was one of the best players on the pitch despite allowing four goals. These goals came from finishes that seemed impossible to spot, two of them from the penalty spot, and, if it wasn't for his season-high nine saves, the result for Elche would've been much worse. Badia is still to keep a clean sheet in 21 starts this season, but at the same time is first among all La Liga goalkeepers in saves, with 90. Up next for him is Sunday's home clash against Espanyol.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gerard Gumbau - Active outing against Real Madrid Gumbau created three chances, sent in three accurate crosses, made two clearances and two interceptions and was shown a yellow card during Wednesday's 4-0 loss against Real Madrid.

Impact Gumbau was Elche's lone bright spot here, being the lone creative mind in the middle of the park while also providing defensive help as he usually does. With seven chances created over his last two starts, Gumbau will try to remain productive during Sunday's home clash against Espanyol.

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Real Madrid visits Osasuna in Spain before Liverpool trip

Real Madrid visits Osasuna on Saturday looking for a win to stay in touch with Spanish league leader Barcelona

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Benzema surpasses Raúl as Madrid beats last-place Elche

Karim Benzema converted two first-half penalty kicks in Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over last-place Elche and became the team’s second-highest scorer in the Spanish league with 230 goals

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gerard Gumbau - Starting against Real Madrid Gumbau (undisclosed) will feature in the starting XI versus Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Impact Gumbau will shake off his knock to make his sixth straight appearance in the starting XI. In his prior five tilts, the midfielder recorded six shots (three on target), 24 crosses (nine accurate) and 10 corners. With his role on freekicks, Gumbau should be capable of offering top-end fantasy production.

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: Chelsea visits Dortmund; Arsenal hosts Man City

Chelsea travels to Germany to play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pape Diop - Joins Elche Cheikh Diop has signed a five-month contract with Elche after leaving Greek side Aris Thessaloniki as a free agent, the club announced Tuesday.

Impact Cheikh Diop made 10 Greek Super League appearances while with Aris F.C. during the first half of this season, and the 25-year-old midfielder is now joining Elche for the remainder of the campaign. He has prior experience in Spain as he recorded a goal and an assist across 38 La Liga appearances while with Celta Vigo from 2015-2020.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kubo scores as Sociedad beats Espanyol 3-2 in Spanish league

Japan forward Takefusa Kubo's first-half goal led third-place Real Sociedad to a 3-2 win at relegation-threatened Espanyol in the Spanish league

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Barcelona coach Setién faces old team with Villarreal

Quique Setién believed he had reached the pinnacle of his career three years ago when he was tapped to become the new coach of Barcelona

FEBRUARY 9, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pere Milla - Undergoes shoulder surgery Milla (shoulder) has undergone surgery on a fractured clavicle, Elche announced Wednesday.

Impact Milla suffered this injury after scoring a hat trick to lead Elche to its first victory of the season in La Liga last weekend, and he is now expected to miss multiple weeks while he recovers. Ezequiel Ponce, Josan, Fidel and new arrival Randy Nteka will be tasked with replacing him along the attacking line.

FEBRUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pedro Bigas - Set for return Bigas is set to return from suspension for Wednesday's trip to Real Madrid.

Impact Bigas picked up the suspension against Sevilla but is now set for a return. The defender is a crucial part of the starting XI but has struggled majorly with discipline, getting sent off twice in January on return from the World Cup break.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gerard Gumbau - Makes five tackles in win Gumbau registered two shots (one on target), four chances created, two crosses (one accurate), five tackles (three won), three interceptions, two clearances and one block in Saturd...

Impact Gumbau had a great all-around performance during their home win, helping on both sides of the ball. The midfielder led his side in chances created, crosses, tackles and interceptions. He subbed off in the 87th minute with an undisclosed injury and should be considered questionable until more information from the medical staff.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fidel - Sends in two crosses as sub Fidel took one off-target shot, created one chance, sent in two crosses (one accurate), made one tackle (won) and picked up a yellow card in 32 minutes during Saturday's 3-1 win ov...

Impact Fidel subbed on in the second half and had a good outing to help them hold the lead and earn the win at home. The midfielder took four of their six corner kicks in the game. He may earn a spot in the squad now after Pere Milla's serious injury, since the starter will miss at least six weeks of action.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pere Milla - Scores hat-trick and leaves injured Milla scored three goals from five shots, created two chances, sent in one accurate cross and made one tackle (won) in Saturday's 3-1 win over Villarreal.

Impact Mill was the man of the match, scoring three times, including twice on penalty kicks. The forward now has six goals in the season and also led his side in shots in the proccess before subbing off in the second half with a fractured clavicle. He will be submitte to surgery and will miss at least six weeks in recovery.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Edgar Badía - Makes one save in win Badia made one save and one clearance in Saturday's 3-1 win over Villarreal.

Impact Badia wasn't really tested during the match, but conceded once in the first half. The goalkeeper still has no clean sheets in the season after 19 starts, though. He will now face a tough matchup when they visit Real Madrid on Feb 15.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Omar Mascarell - Suspended for next game Mascarell will miss next week's clash against Real Madrid with a suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Impact Mascarell picked up his fifth booking of the season in Saturday's win over Villarreal, meaning he will be suspended for the Real Madrid match. Raul Guti is likely to replace him alongside Gerard Gumbau in midfield for the game.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Helibelton Palacios - Suspended against Real Madrid Palacios will miss next week's clash against Real Madrid with a suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Impact Palacios picked up his fifth booking of the season in Saturday's upset win over Villarreal, meaning he will be suspended for the Feb. 15 match with Madrid. Diego Gonzalez and Gonzalo Verdu are both options to replace him in the back-three.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona exploits Madrid's stumble to open 8-point lead

Barcelona has taken advantage of Real Madrid’s earlier stumble to kick off the second half of the season with another win and enjoy its biggest lead yet at the top of the Spanish l...

FEBRUARY 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Elche gets first win in Spanish league at 20th try

Elche has ended its long wait for a win in the Spanish league after Pere Milla scored a hat trick to beat Villarreal 3-1

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS