Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero

Elche 0-1 Villarreal
Yes folks Ross and Adrian's Stadium Guide hits La Liga!
This is not my (Adrian) first game at a Spanish stadium, I watched Leicester City lose at Athletico Madrid in 1997.
An opportunity arose to visit this game as I have a friend who has an apartment in Quesada, an urbanisation approx 20km away.
Elche is a town just to the south west of Alicante and in terms of population is about the size of Derby.
The regions teams have had a poor time recently, both Mercia and Heracles are currently in the Spanish lower divisions but Elche have just returned to La Liga after winning the 2nd tier championship last season.
Spanish football, it seems, is worse than England for ridiculous kick off times. When I booked my flight, we were both under the impression it was to be a Saturday kick off, not as it turned out Monday night, 10pm!
The stadium is an excellent arena holding approx 36,000 fans; it opened in 1976 and staged some World Cup games in 1982.
It is a three tier open bowl in style set on the outskirts of the town we sat in the middle section behind the south goal for 35 Euros.
The game itself was an open affair with both sides trying to pass the ball. Villarreal however appeared to do this a little better and but for some over hit final balls and the excellent Elche keeper would have won more handsomely than the 1-0 score line. The only goal scored by Ikechukwu Uche in 88^th minute after a yet another flowing move this time on the left.
Ironically Elche had one of the best chances of the game, when Manu headed against the crossbar from an Aaron centre, but so often they lacked the quality in the final third despite an encouraging performance from left winger Fidel.
Best player on the field, Villarreal midfield player Trigueros, on the night the complete player!
Overall, an enjoyable night with over 20,000 Spaniards and an enjoyable few days away.
Arrived on Friday 1st Nov and departed Tues 5th Nov with daytime temperatures reaching 80 f!
A tip for a first sight of Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, sit on the right side of the plane flying into Alicante and you will see literally a bird’s eye view.

Saturday 9 November 2013

Elche 0-1 Villarreal