1. Main Players Comparison
Elche CF
- Core: Léo Pétrot (LB, new signing, €900k, defensive stability), Víctor Chust (CB, €2m, adds reliability).
- Midfield: Federico Redondo (22, DM, young pivot option), Martim Neto (22, CM, transitional play).
- Attack: Rafa Mir (28, CF, €800k, proven La Liga finisher), André Silva (29, CF, added depth).
- Output: Strong injection of forwards (Rafa Mir & Silva), but heavy losses in creativity (Mercau, Castro, Plano).
- Stability: Squad tilted toward defense and direct attack, but creative midfield depth reduced.
Levante UD
- Core: Jeremy Toljan (30, RB, experienced Bundesliga profile), Alan Matturro (20, CB, injured), Víctor García (RB, adds depth).
- Midfield: Olasagasti (24, CM, injured, short-term setback), Kervin Arriaga (27, DM, injured, limits control).
- Attack: Goduine Koyalipou (25, CF, hamstring injury – potential scorer but unavailable early).
- Output: Reinforcements mostly defensive; attacking reliance remains weak.
- Stability: Injuries hit hard (Arriaga, Olasagasti, Koyalipou all out) leaving gaps in midfield and attack.
2. New Players Comparison
Elche CF:
- Key arrivals: Rafa Mir, André Silva (CF duo – immediate attacking upgrades).
- Pétrot & Chust strengthen backline.
- Redondo & Neto add youth in midfield.
- Value: Mix of experienced attackers + young midfield/defense.
Levante UD:
- Olasagasti (CM) and Arriaga (DM) – both injured, limiting early-season impact.
- Toljan (RB) & Matturro (CB) add defensive cover, but Matturro also injured.
- Koyalipou (CF) injured, delaying his attacking contribution.
- Value: Depth signings, but injuries neutralize short-term boost.
3. Substitutes Comparison
Elche CF:
- Squad depth reduced after exits of Plano, Castro, Rashani.
- Dependence on new forwards (Mir & Silva) means bench remains thin until younger players settle.
- Sub impact potential: Moderate (~5–6 goals, limited creativity).
Levante UD:
- Bench weakened due to injuries (Olasagasti, Koyalipou, Arriaga all unavailable).
- Cover from García & Toljan offers defensive security.
- Sub impact potential: Low (~2–3 goals, defensive-heavy).
4. Consolidated Quality Scorecard
Category | Elche CF Rating | Levante UD Rating |
Main Players | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (New CFs Mir & Silva, solid defensive adds) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Defense reinforced, but attack crippled by injuries) |
New Players | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Balanced – forwards, midfield, defense) | ⭐⭐ (Many injured, limited early-season impact) |
Substitutes | ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate depth, some creativity lost) | ⭐⭐ (Bench hit hard by injuries, limited scoring) |
Overall Depth | Stronger attack, weaker creativity in midfield | Defensive depth intact, but attack undermined |
Key Weakness | Loss of creative midfielders (Plano, Castro) | Injuries to Olasagasti, Arriaga, Koyalipou |
5. Injuries & Suspensions (with impact)
Elche CF:
- No major absentees listed; fresh squad. Biggest issue is replacing creative midfielders who left (Mercau, Castro).
Levante UD:
- Adam Boayar: muscle injury – depth hit.
- Yago Santiago: cruciate ligament – long-term absence.
- Alan Matturro: thigh injury – defensive cover delayed.
- Alfonso Pastor: broken finger – goalkeeping backup issue.
- Goduine Koyalipou: hamstring – key CF arrival sidelined.
- Jon Olasagasti: thigh injury – creative CM unavailable.
- Kervin Arriaga: thigh injury – defensive midfield out.
- Impact: Multiple new signings unavailable, midfield and attack decimated.
6. Predicted Outcome
- Elche CF enter sharper with Rafa Mir & André Silva providing immediate firepower.
- Levante UD suffer from clustered injuries to core midfield and new attackers, limiting control and scoring threat.
- Elche’s balance and fit forwards tilt the advantage their way.
Likely Result: Elche CF 2 – 0 Levante UD
