A Fragile Hercules: Conceding Goals in 76% of Matches

Only five matches remain before the 24-25 season draws to a close, and Hercules watches helplessly as the dream of securing a promotion play-off spot slips away in their debut year in the Primera RFEF. Injuries and misfortunes aside, the primary issue for Ruben Torrecilla's team is their lack of defensive solidity. Statistics rarely lie, and Hercules has displayed a glass jaw, leaving them in no man's land: six points behind fifth place (with a lost goal difference) and with safety not yet mathematically secured (seven points away).

The Alicante side has managed to keep a clean sheet in only 8 of the 33 league matches played this season (they were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the first hurdle by Ejea de los Caballeros from Segunda RFEF, losing 1-0). Thus, Hercules has conceded goals in 76% of their matches this campaign, a statistic made worse by the fact that Carlos Abad has been the standout performer in many of these games.

Torrecilla has never found stability in his defensive line. Samu Vázquez started the season with many doubts at right-back, and the coach was not convinced by Alvarito as an alternative in that position. On the other flank, Retu had a lacklustre first half of the season, only raising his level after Joel Arumí's arrival in the winter transfer window. As for the centre-back pairing, Montoro and Sotillos were untouchable for the coach, but the latter has been sidelined for several weeks with an ankle sprain, and Hercules has felt the impact.

Apart from these key players, alternatives have been conspicuously absent, as Abraham del Moral has spent much of the season in the treatment room with various injuries, and Joel Arumí (who joined from Andorra) is not in Torrecilla's plans.

Furthermore, Hercules misses (for the second consecutive season) the presence of a commanding and experienced defensive midfielder. Mario García arrived last summer to fill that role, but he has not started a match in two months and has lost all confidence from the Extremaduran coach.

The white-and-blue team hosts Alcorcón this Sunday (19:30) without the suspended Retu, meaning Del Moral and Arumí will compete this week for a place in the starting eleven. The clash against the Madrid side is crucial to mathematically secure safety and attempt to close the gap with the promotion zone, which seems further away than ever after collecting just one point against Antequera, Mérida, and Betis B.