After being presented more than two weeks ago, Colombian winger Jeison Lucumí officially debuted this Friday in the Spanish league with Jorge Almirón’s Elche.
Precisely, Elche achieved victory in the regional duel against a disconcerting Valencia (2-1), since after a disappointing first half they cornered their rival in the second and brushed the tie until the last moment.
Almirón’s team, which adds its second consecutive victory and its first victory at home, confirms its good dynamics in the league start, while Valencia is still installed in doubts after linking three defeats.
The team from Elche, full of confidence due to their good dynamic of results, showed from the beginning a more offensive pose than in previous games and assumed control of the game with authority against a withdrawn Valencia with doubts.
Javi Gracia, Valencian coach, had armored the left lane of his defense with Lato and Gayá, but it was of no use because Josan Ferrández, a winger converted to a lane, was at ease there. The Crevillentino player, the most active on his team, opened Valencia’s defense on the channel at 18 minutes, when, after controlling a ball and leaving his markers, he launched a parabola shot that Jaume Doménech could not reach.
The goal did not wake up Valencia, who continued to show a tepid attitude while his rival grew in self-esteem. Elche began to like each other, touching the ball judiciously and looking for the bands, and again Josan was providential for his team by stealing a ball and assisting Fidel, who scored the second from outside the area.
Javi Gracia’s team, completely knocked out, was never able to find Gameiro and Guedes and was only able to produce their first chance from a set piece, already in the 40th minute, with a Carlos Soler free-kick that went high.
After the break, Valencia reacted and took command of the match against a retreated Elche. The visiting team had the first big chance in a header by Gayá that Edgar Badía kicked out.
Valencia, with Carlos Soler at the controls, settled in the opposite field and overwhelmed the Elche team for many minutes, but without a shot. Gracia sacrificed two of his heavyweights, Guedes and Gayá, in search of a reaction that ended up with Lato’s goal, seventeen minutes from time. The full-back took advantage of a ball into the hole to dribble to Badía and score at will.
The goal spurred Valencia, who was able to equalize a minute later with a shot from Gameiro that Gonzalo Verdú took over the line. The harassment of Valencia was already total against a fatigued Elche and unable to defend himself with the ball.
However, the local defense, supported by a great Edgar Badía, knew how to hold on to secure three new points that shoot the team to the top of the table.
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