Martin Anselmi Reveals Bold Possession Strategy for Elche vs Real Madrid

Martin Anselmi, the head coach of Elche, has laid out a daring strategy ahead of their La Liga clash against Real Madrid at the Estadio Martinez Valero. Despite his team’s struggles this season, Anselmi believes that keeping hold of the ball is the strongest way to defend and create chances against the league leaders.

Host Side Aims to Surprise

Coming off a 1-1 draw with Athletic Club on Saturday, Elche remain without a win across all competitions this season. They have conceded an average of 2.6 goals per game and carry a difficult record against Real Madrid, having not won in their last 16 league meetings. Still, the team looks ready to take on the challenge at home.

Coach Demands Courage and Ball Control

During his pre-match press conference, Anselmi emphasized the importance of a brave and possession-based approach. He said:

"The fact that we competed at San Mames makes us feel united and shows that this is the path to follow. For us, the best way to defend is to have the ball. I believe we must maintain the same defensive competitiveness from San Mames and defend ourselves with possession."

The Argentine boss is determined that his players remain fearless despite facing a star-studded Real Madrid squad.

Staying Alert Against Real’s Threat

Anselmi also highlighted the danger posed by Real Madrid’s attacking quality, warning his team about the need to stay focused throughout the match. He added:

"They make difficult passages of play look easy and push you to the limit; we can't afford to give anything away and must stay focused for the entire match."

Challenging Schedule for Visitors

Real Madrid might rotate their lineup after a 4-1 win against Rayo Vallecano and a tough Champions League match versus Inter Milan. Coach Jose Mourinho will be eager to keep pressure on the top of the table before the crucial capital derby this weekend.

Elche, missing injured player Yago Santiago, need a flawless performance if they want to stop their three-game losing streak in top-flight fixtures.

• Match: Elche vs Real Madrid
• Date & Time: 15 Sept 2026, 22:30
• Location: Estadio Martinez Valero
• Elche recent form: Winless this season, 1-1 draw at Athletic Club
• Defensive record: 2.6 goals conceded per game average
• Head-to-head: Elche no wins in last 16 league matches vs Real Madrid
• Real Madrid recent results: 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano, Champions League match vs Inter
• Key absences: Elche without Yago Santiago due to injury