Federico Fernandez beaten on his Elche debut after Newcastle exit

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Almost five weeks after leaving Newcastle United, Federico Fernandez made his Elche debut on Monday night. However, it did not go to plan.

The 33-year-old departed St James’ Park on deadline day, and was one of few Toon players to leave the club permanently this summer. However, Newcastle are still reportedly paying a portion of his wages. That’s according to the Telegraph.

He joined the La Liga side on September 1st, signing a one-year deal with Los Ilicitanos. He is joined there by fellow countrymen Javier Pastore and Lucas Boye, as well as Watford loanee Domingos Quina.

Elche finished 13th in Spanish football’s top flight last season, but look like relegation candidates this time out.

Going into last night’s game against Rayo Vallecano, Elche were bottom of the league with one point. And things did not get any better with Fernandez in the side.

What happened on Federico Fernandez’s Elche debut

The veteran defender had started his Elche career on the bench, watching on as his new side lost to Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona.

But Fernandez was drafted into the starting XI on Monday night. He was at the heart of a back five, a position he knows very well from his Newcastle days.

Elche took the lead in the 32nd minute thanks to Boye, but two inadvertent lapses from Fernandez ensured the night ended in defeat.

Vallecano’s equaliser came eight minutes after Elche had gone ahead. Sergio Camello’s effort cruelly deflected off Fernandez and into the net.

Then the Argentinian centre-back was involved in the third and final goal of the game. In the 95th minute, he headed a cross clear in typical Fernandez fashion. But in an incredibly harsh twist of fate, Fernandez’s clearance was thundered back towards goal by Unai Lopez.

His volley went in, and a Vallecano side that included Florian Lejeune won 2-1 in the last minute. Both goals had been accidentally caused by Fernandez, who had a debut to forget in Spain.

Elche remain bottom after seven games and are without a win. Fernandez and co will have a tough job avoiding relegation, but the ex-Toon defender knows a thing or two about survival.