Anselmi reflects on Elche’s 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano

“We understood the different moments of the match, both beforehand and during it,” Martín Anselmi said after Elche’s 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano. The coach highlighted his team’s preparation and its ability to adjust to the different phases of the game. The victory also lifted the team out of the relegation zone and extended its positive run.

Anselmi described an approach built on patience and togetherness. “We insisted on being an intelligent team, one that understands the moments in a match,” he said. He added that his side knew Rayo attacked quickly, so they needed to stay compact, protect the space in behind and break forward quickly. In possession, the idea was to stay calm and play in the team’s own way. “We played a very complete match,” he said.

The coach also emphasised the collective effort, particularly after the break. He said the players had set themselves the target of keeping a clean sheet and that everyone sometimes had to accept a role they did not enjoy for the good of the team. “I’m proud of the way the players compete. They are very brave,” he said. On Gonzalo Villar’s substitution, Anselmi explained that he had three booked players on the pitch and had to make a choice; Facu Buonanotte was among those who deserved to play. He also said Fer Niño had already been dealing with a lower-back problem before the match and was taken off as a precaution. Anselmi praised Fede Redondo, saying he had produced “a ten-out-of-ten performance, with a goal as well”.

For Anselmi, the result is no reason to ease off. He said the team had to prepare for its next cup match on Tuesday, followed by Sunday’s league fixture against Valencia. “The only way to play well, be the team you want to be and get victories is to work,” he said. The coach also noted that the points won away from home showed his side was improving, while stressing that the next step was to do the same at home.

Before the match, Anselmi had also addressed the possibility of incidents around the fixture. He said LaLiga should take “an exemplary measure” if incidents like those that had led to the suspension of Rayo Vallecano’s previous match happened again. He nevertheless said his team was focused on football: “We prepare to go onto the pitch and compete in the match. The rest is not our responsibility, and we cannot control it.” He said he did not know the details of the disciplinary rules in each case and felt it would be unwise to comment on the conflict between Rayo supporters and the club’s board. He also noted that Elche’s travelling supporters and the players would be affected by any postponement. After the win, his message returned to the immediate task: keep working and aim to improve further.