Match Pack: Elche CF vs Athletic Club

Athletic Club are back in LaLiga action! Marcelino’s men kick off their 2021-22 campaign against Elche CF -their last opponents in LaLiga 20-21- at the Martínez Valero, and the Lions will be looking to carry their pre-season form into the new season.

It was a successful pre-season which saw the Rojiblancos pick up victories over Dynamo Kyiv (1-0), Borussia Dortmund (0-2) and Southampton FC (1-3), in addition to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Liverpool FC at Anfield.

Match info

Elche CF vs Athletic Club (Matchday 1)

Estadio Martínez Valero

LaLiga Santander 21-22

Monday August 16, 22:00 CEST

How to watch the match

Find out more about where you can watch this fixture and what time it kicks off around the world.

Team news

Athletic head coach Marcelino has called up 20 players for the clash. Unfortunately, new arrival Alex Petxarroman misses out on his first official matchday squad as he is suffering from a problem in his left hamstring.

However, centre-back Dani Vivian, who spent last season on loan at Mirandés, has been called up, while young forward Nico Serrano, 18, has also made the squad.

Season openers

Athletic have managed to pick up points in three of their last four LaLiga starts. In the 2017-18 season, with José Ángel Ziganda in the dugout, Athletic and Getafe played out a goalless draw.

A season later, the Lions side took all three points against CD Leganés (2-1) thanks to a late Iker Muniain goal. In the 2019-20 season, Aritz Aduriz’s incredible last-minute volley helped Athletic to a 1-0 win over FC Barcelona at San Mamés.

However, last year they began the campaign with a 2-0 loss against Granada down in Andalusia.

The opponents

League position in 20-21: 17th

Head coach: Fran Escribá

Born up the road in Valencia, Fran Escribá first joined Elche CF as manager back in 2012. During his three-year spell at the club, he took them back to the top-flight for the first time in 24 years.

Escribá took the reigns once more in February last season with the side in the midst of a relegation battle. He led Elche to survival after they defeated Athletic on the final day of the campaign, thus finishing ahead of SD Huesca.

Top scorer: Lucas Boyé (Seven goals in LaLiga 20-21)

The Argentinian striker impressed enough last season to convince Elche to make his loan permanent. Known as ‘the Tank’, what Boyé might lack in finesse, he makes up for with his physicality.

Boyé is not Elche’s only summer signing so far. Escribá has been busy in the market, bringing in five other new faces in addition to the striker. Some of the names might be familiar to LaLiga Santander fans, with all the transfers – Ivan Marcone, Pedro Bigas, Johan Mojica, Kiko Casilla and Enzo Roco- having already experienced the top division.

Track record at the Martínez Valero

This will be the 23rd time Athletic have faced Elche CF at the Martínez Valero in LaLiga. The Lions haven’t had much historic success at the ground, their last victory there a thrilling 2-3 win in 2014-15.

On that occasion, with the game in the balance, Iñaki Williams scored his first ever LaLiga goal with a 92nd-minute strike that ensured Athletic took home all three points.

The last meeting between the two sides came at very end of last season, with Elche CF beating Athletic 2-0 to guarantee their LaLiga status on the final Matchday of 2020-21.

The Athletic Club head coach stressed his belief that the Lions are fully prepared for the upcoming LaLiga Santander 2021-22 campaign.

“The players are ready. We’ve been very pleased with their attitude during pre-season and we hope they back it up with three points against Elche CF tomorrow.”

Read more of what the boss had to say in his pre-match press conference ahead of Athletic’s opening fixture.