Real Madrid visit Elche in La Liga midweek round before international break
Synopsis
Real Madrid head to Elche on Tuesday as La Liga squeezes in two rounds before the international break. Jose Mourinho is rotating his squad, while the bigger story may be Valencia's chaotic visit to Alaves — their first match since sacking Carlos Corberan, now led by a B-team coach facing a genuine relegation battle.
Key Takeaways
Real Madrid visit Elche on Tuesday in La Liga 's first midweek round before the international break.
Jose Mourinho is expected to rotate, with Tchouameni , Cucurella , Arda Guler , Dean Huijsen , and Brahim Diaz all in contention to start.
Elche coach Martin Anselmi may use a low defensive block, as he did to earn a draw at Athletic Club on Saturday.
Valencia travel to Alaves under interim boss Oscar Sanchez after Carlos Corberan was sacked on Sunday; Braulio Vazquez named director of sport.
Barcelona host Racing Santander on Wednesday chasing a sixth consecutive La Liga win .
Atletico Madrid face Osasuna on Wednesday ahead of next weekend's Madrid derby .
Real Madrid travel to Elche on Tuesday as La Liga kicks off the first of two midweek rounds before the international break — a compact stretch that will test squad depth across Spain's top flight.
Madrid's Rotation Plans
Manager Jose Mourinho is expected to continue shuffling his starting lineup following Saturday's comfortable 4-1 home victory over Rayo Vallecano. Several fringe players are in contention to start, including Aurelien Tchouameni, Marc Cucurella, Arda Guler, Dean Huijsen, and Brahim Diaz, as Mourinho manages his squad through the congested fixture schedule.
Elche's Tactical Approach
Elche, managed by Martin Anselmi, showed tactical flexibility on Saturday, abandoning their customary high defensive line in favour of a compact low block to secure a point away at Athletic Club. The Argentine coach is expected to deploy a similar defensive setup against Real Madrid, looking to stifle the visitors' dangerous counter-attacking play. Such a cautious approach underscores the enormous gulf in resources between the two clubs.
Valencia's Managerial Crisis Deepens
Away from the headline fixture, significant drama surrounds Valencia, who travel to Vitoria to face Deportivo Alaves in their first match since manager Carlos Corberan was sacked on Sunday. Oscar Sanchez, previously in charge of Valencia's B team, has been handed temporary control of the first team. Meanwhile, Braulio Vazquez has been appointed as the club's new director of sport, tasked with identifying a permanent managerial replacement.
Alaves, despite squandering an opportunity to move second in the table after losing to Racing Santander on Saturday, retain firepower in the form of in-form forwards Mariano Diaz and Lucas Boye — both former connections to Valencia — who will look to exploit a struggling Valencia defence. Notably, Quique Sanchez Flores, a former Valencia player and coach himself, now leads the Alaves attack.
Other Tuesday and Wednesday Fixtures
Tuesday's remaining match sees Rayo Vallecano host Espanyol at their ground. Rayo will welcome back Fran Perez from suspension, though Jorge de Frutos is unavailable, serving the second match of a two-game ban.
The midweek programme continues on Wednesday, when Barcelona host Racing Santander, seeking a sixth consecutive La Liga win. Atletico Madrid also entertain Osasuna at home, with manager Diego Simeone looking to build momentum ahead of next weekend's eagerly anticipated Madrid derby.
What's at Stake
With the international break approaching immediately after this round of fixtures, every result carries added weight — there will be no quick corrective before squads begin to disperse. For clubs in transition, like Valencia, the timing is particularly precarious. For the frontrunners like Real Madrid and Barcelona, a smooth passage through the week could set the tone for the post-break run.
Point of View
But the more consequential story is Valencia's freefall. Sacking Corberan mid-season and handing a B-team coach the reins heading into a tough away fixture is a sign of a club without a coherent plan — and with Braulio Vazquez only just appointed as director of sport, the search for a permanent manager is starting from scratch. Meanwhile, Atletico's eye is already on next weekend's Madrid derby, making Wednesday's Osasuna match a rotation risk Simeone can ill afford to misjudge. The congested schedule before an international break habitually separates organised squads from chaotic ones — and the gap in preparation between Real Madrid and Valencia could not be starker right now.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Real Madrid play Elche in La Liga?
Real Madrid visit Elche on Tuesday as part of La Liga's first midweek round before the international break. The match is one of several games being played across Tuesday and Wednesday.
Who will start for Real Madrid against Elche?
Manager Jose Mourinho is expected to rotate his squad after Saturday's 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Aurelien Tchouameni, Marc Cucurella, Arda Guler, Dean Huijsen, and Brahim Diaz are all in contention to start.
Why was Carlos Corberan sacked by Valencia?
Valencia sacked manager Carlos Corberan on Sunday, with the club currently at the bottom of the La Liga table. B-team coach Oscar Sanchez has been placed in temporary charge while Braulio Vazquez, the new director of sport, searches for a permanent replacement.
What other La Liga matches are scheduled this midweek?
Tuesday also features Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol and Valencia vs Deportivo Alaves. On Wednesday, Barcelona host Racing Santander aiming for a sixth straight win, while Atletico Madrid entertain Osasuna ahead of the Madrid derby.
What tactical approach is Elche expected to use against Real Madrid?
Elche coach Martin Anselmi is expected to deploy a low defensive block, the same approach used to earn a draw at Athletic Club on Saturday. The strategy is designed to limit Real Madrid's threat on the counter-attack.
