“It will be very strange to enter the visiting dressing room of Martínez Valero”

Edu Albacar (Tortosa, 1979) left his mark on Elche. The side touched the sky of Martínez Valero and was one of the idols of the franjiverde fans. He walked out the back door after seven seasons and after becoming the highest scoring defender in the history of Elche. Still, he doesn’t hold any grudges. Now, he attends to AS from Valencia. Bordalás recruited him in the summer for his coaching staff and Edu is enjoying this new stage. On Saturday he returns to the Martínez Valero for the first time as a rival since he left.

On Saturday he returns to the Martínez Valero for the first time since he left Elche…

So is. It is the first time that I am going to step on it as a rival and it is a special game, I had it marked in red on the calendar. I’m really looking forward to going back to that stadium and taking the win.

And for Bordalás will it also be special?

I think so. Our stage there is over, but the Elche fan knows that we gave everything for that club. It was a beautiful stage that remains in the memory.

You also had delicate moments…

People know what’s good, but I also went through some very bad times at that club on a personal level. However, we always try to stay with the positive. I have a lot to keep from Elche and I will always have great memories of the club and its people.

Do you have any grudge left?

No. Adult people have to turn the page and face things. At first, when I left, it was hard but I had to do it.

Do you have many friends left in Elche?

Roco, Josan, Gonzalo Verdú and Fidel continue from my stage. I played with them and they are still active. Also, they are doing well. And the great Nino, my friend. I will be very happy to hug the ‘Bug’ again.

Mantecón also follows. Talk to him?

We have met a couple of times and we have a cordial relationship.

Will it be strange for you to enter the visiting locker room?

The last time I entered the away zone was with Rayo and it was 13 years ago. It will be strange to enter that locker room, but it is what I have to do. Now I am in Valencia, in a great club and I return with the intention of winning in Elche.

But this Elche has changed a lot in the last decade…

If he is in First, he has done something right. When I arrived at Elche I realized that it was a historic club and that it did not deserve to be in the Second Division because of everything around it. In that first year, with the arrival of Bordalás and players, we woke up the whole city with that promotion final against Granada. The whole of Elche realized that he could aspire to play in the First Division. Then we got it, but the descents came. It has been known how to react because who was going to tell us that Elche was going to be in the First Division in three years after going down to Second B. Now it seems that it is more stable with the people who have entered and it is a perfect club to grow little by little .

To close the sentimental aspect, are your children from Elche?

Both were born in Alicante, but the best years of their childhood were lived when their father was in Elche. I have a saved photo going out to Martínez Valero hand in hand with him, celebrating the promotion, which is very special for my family. They have great memories of Elche. The truth is that I haven’t asked them which team they belong to, but I’m sure Elche is one of their favourites.

How do you see Bordalás? Has anything changed?

I’ve always seen him the same. She has always had the same perspective and has not changed her idea of ​​getting better every day.

After qualifying for the Cup final, the coach’s celebration was emotional…

The coach is always the same. He is a person who when he is working he does it 100%, but he is not a machine and when he achieves something like the Cup final it is normal for him to celebrate. If there is a party, the coach joins in and when he has to work he is the first to do it.

Mestalla has welcomed them very well…

Football is results. We arrived at Valencia with great enthusiasm and eager to work. From the beginning we felt supported, the team reacted and we started well. People got hooked. Then, we had a bump, but the coach continued to encourage. We were pleasantly surprised by the reception from the fans and what we experienced after qualifying for the Cup final was incredible.

A balanced derby is expected…

Yes. We expect an even match. We have worked all week with a view to Elche and we know how they play and how competitive they are. Some improvement has been noted since Francisco’s arrival.

What stands out about this Elche?

It is a team that associates well. It is very vertical and has decisive players. You have to be aware of your block in general.

When does Valencia arrive at Martínez Valero?

We arrive at a time when the team has to take a step forward and is aware of it. We have put the Cup final on hold and we should not be distracted by anything because now the important thing is the League. Now, we face a final stretch in which we can arrive and aspire to enter Europe. We will try. But, I insist, we have parked the Cup because it would be a mistake to distract ourselves from it and we have to focus on the League.

Who do you see as favorite in the derby?

It will be an even game and I think he will opt for small actions. I see it at 50%.

From side to side, what do you think of Mojica?

He is an interesting player. He is playing very well and has found that footballing maturity at Elche.

¿Y Lucas Boyé?

He is a good striker. He plays very well with his back and puts the team face to face. He has ease for the goal and to find the shot. Ponce also has that and I think that Elche has decisive players.

Who would you sign from Elche?

Valencia have a very good squad. It’s true that Elche has good players like Boyé, Fidel, Ponce… But we’re fine.

Can Elche aspire to something more than a permanence in the future?

Elche is able to improve year after year and seek higher levels. It’s not my club and I can’t comment because a thousand things can happen, but they’re going in a good direction. I think that in a few years you can aspire to something more than permanence.

What do you think of the direction of Bragarnik?

I can’t answer that question because I don’t have the data or the ability. What is seen from the outside is that he is a football man and if he has entered it is because he wants to do things well.

Wouldn’t you like to be head coach in the future?

That’s my goal. When I set up the soccer academy in my town, I didn’t want to be a coach. Due to illness of a technician, I took the Cadete and after two weeks I realized that I was having a good time and that I wanted to continue. Then, I directed the Youth and I enjoyed it a lot. I liked the experience. With the call from Bordalás I am doing a master’s degree, I am with one of the best. I want to learn as much as possible and someday, years from now, I would like to be a coach. But, I repeat, now I am training and soaking up professional people.

And don’t you see yourself as the Elche coach in a few years?

Those are big words. What I hope is to continue training so that when the opportunity comes to take on a project, I will be able to carry it out.