UD Pinatar, Elche's opponents in the Copa del Rey | OneFootball

Elche will return to Murcia, this time for a single-leg cup tie

Elche now know their first opponents in the Copa del Rey. UD Pinatar will be the first hurdle for Anselmi’s side in the knockout competition, in a single-leg tie to be played between October 27 and 29. The Murcia-based side play in the Preferente Autonómica and will head into the match after coming through the preliminary round with an emphatic 11–0 aggregate win over Atlético Melilla.

The draw has also produced a matchup with a special twist. Elche have just spent several days in San Pedro del Pinatar during the international break, where Anselmi held double training sessions and the team played two friendlies. Now they will have to return to the town in Murcia, this time to battle for a place in the next round.

A Preferente opponent full of confidence

The gap between the divisions is clear. UD Pinatar compete in the Preferente Autonómica, while Elche play in the top flight. However, the Murcia side head into the tie having shown that they take the cup seriously.

In the preliminary round, they thrashed Atlético Melilla 8–0 in the first leg and won again in the return leg, 3–0. Eleven goals scored and none conceded saw them progress in commanding fashion and earn the reward of facing a top-flight team.

No room for lapses

The cup format means everything comes down to one match. There will be no chance to make up for a poor performance in a second leg, and Elche will have to adapt to a different setting from the top flight.

The difference in divisions does not guarantee progress. Anselmi’s team must avoid letting the match become a battle of intensity. For Pinatar, every minute will be a chance to compete against a top-flight side; for Elche, a test of concentration.

An opportunity for the fringe players

The cup will also open the door for players who have had less involvement in the league. Anselmi will have to manage his squad and decide how many changes to make without weakening the team.

The tie could give some players a chance to stake a claim for a place, help others regain match sharpness and provide more minutes for those who need regular playing time. At the same time, the coach will need to strike the right balance to ensure that excessive rotation does not complicate a match that the

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.