LaLiga EA Sports kicks off the 2026/27 season with a highly significant encounter at Abanca Riazor: newly promoted Deportivo de La Coruña faces Elche. For the 'blanquiazul' side, this match represents much more than three points; it's the symbol of their return to the top flight eight years after their last relegation. Elche, meanwhile, aims to reaffirm its project and make a statement of intent in the early stages of the competition.
Deportivo's Dream Return
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Deportivo de La Coruña secured their promotion to LaLiga in the 2025/26 season, following an eight-year absence from the elite, which included spells in the third tier of Spanish football. This return has been forged with significant investment in the transfer market, positioning Dépor as one of the clubs that has spent the most money this summer, surpassed only by Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético de Madrid. Signings like international goalkeeper Leo Román, experienced forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and the return of Angeliño, alongside retaining key players such as Yeremay Hernández, underscore the project's ambition.
Managed by Antonio Hidalgo, the team has shown consistency on their path to promotion, characterised by their ability to keep matches alive and a solid defence, as well as the attacking flair of Yeremay Hernández, who was decisive with 11 goals and 10 assists in 35 league games last season. Pre-season has also been positive for the Galicians, remaining unbeaten until their defeat against Real Madrid in the Teresa Herrera Trophy. Facing Elche at home in the opening fixture is an unmissable opportunity to connect with their fans and demonstrate they are ready to compete at the highest level.
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Elche, aiming to consolidate a project
Elche CF, who played their first season back in LaLiga in 2025/26 after being promoted the previous campaign, achieved a dramatic survival and enters this season with a new face on the bench. Following Eder Sarabia's era, Argentine Martín Anselmi takes the reins, proposing a different style of play: very aggressive, with a high defensive line, intense pressing upon losing possession, and aiming for verticality.
The 'Ilicitanos'' pre-season has also been unbeaten, generating positive feelings, although the squad has undergone significant changes, with the departure of key players like Aleix Febas and their three main strikers from the previous season, who collectively scored 25 goals. New signings, such as Fer Niño and Eze Ponce, will aim to compensate for these losses and adapt quickly to the new system. Anselmi's Elche faces questions about how their defence will cope with the space behind them in the demands of LaLiga, which will require considerable physical exertion.
A clash of styles and aspirations
The encounter between Deportivo and Elche at Abanca Riazor will be a clash of philosophies and an early test for both sides. Dépor, fuelled by the euphoria of promotion and the backing of their fans, will seek to impose their home strength and exploit the pace of their attackers. Elche, on the other hand, will attempt to execute their style of associative and possession-based football, characteristics of Sarabia's approach which, with modifications, their new coach Martín Anselmi aims to maintain, albeit with greater verticality and aggression without the ball.
Historically, duels between Deportivo and Elche in LaLiga have been balanced, with 6 wins for Dépor, 5 for Elche, and 2 draws in 13 matches. This opening game of the 2026/27 season will not only test Deportivo's adaptation to the top flight but also Elche's ability to consolidate itself as an ambitious project in LaLiga. It will be a key match for the initial aspirations of both clubs in a campaign that promises strong emotions.