On september 2025 · GolsMedia
It has not been an easy start to the season for Elche’s reserve team. The green-and-white side has yet to taste victory after three matchdays, recording two draws and one defeat in Segunda Federación. Carlos Cuéllar, coach of the reserve side, spoke to the media ahead of this weekend’s clash, where the Ilicitanos will visit Real Madrid’s second reserve team.
The coach reviewed what has happened so far and pointed out the mistakes that have been made: “We’ve lacked a bit more decisiveness in our own box. We’re creating plenty of scoring chances, but we haven’t been clinical enough in any of the games.” He also praised his players and stressed what they need: “The team is in good shape because the work and the game plan are being carried out. What’s letting us down are small details in defensive concepts. We’ve conceded goals that were quite avoidable. The boys are improving in that area, and offensively the team is starting to see the rewards. We need a win so they can finally feel free.”
One of the problems, according to Cuéllar, is playing the ball out from the back: “We need to understand when it’s possible to play out from defense and when you just need to kick the ball out of the stadium, as I tell them. That doesn’t make you a worse player.” The coach also analyzed their next opponent: “Real Madrid C is a very dominant team, they put a lot of players forward and have great individual quality. Without the ball, if we show personality, they struggle because, like us, they are a reserve side.”
When asked about his team’s work, he was very clear: “We continue to focus on ourselves, reinforcing what we are doing well and improving the defensive actions where we have failed. We need to have the personality to defend with the ball.” Finally, he backed his squad and was firm about the work being done with Elche’s reserves: “We cannot change our approach just because of results, because the work is showing. We have a long-term plan, and since we are a reserve side, we must focus on the process and the players’ development,” he concluded.
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