Hercules Aims to Escape Crisis Against Troubled Reserve Team

Hercules is compelled to change course this Sunday at Rico Pérez against Sevilla Atlético. The match kicks off at 12:00, featuring two teams in dire need, with Torrecilla's side under particular pressure after losing four of their last five league matches, distancing them alarmingly from the top positions. Now, the lower zone is closer than ever, and a setback against the Sevilla reserve team would plunge Hercules into a battle they wish to avoid: fighting to maintain their status with the threat of relegation looming.

Last week's painful setback in Huelva has once again put the Alicante team on the ropes. In Colombino, the script from Fuenlabrada repeated itself, as Hercules returned empty-handed despite taking the lead with a goal from Coscia. The slip in Huelva was particularly concerning due to the level shown by a Recreativo team that seemed out of the running.

As usual, Torrecilla has spent the entire week with one eye on the infirmary. Left-back Del Moral was injured in Huelva and will not return until 2025, the same recovery time as Oriol Soldevila due to a fractured finger. Defensive midfielder Mario García will also be unavailable for Sunday, although he is in the final stages of his recovery, while Nico Espinosa's presence on the left wing is uncertain due to a calf injury that forced him to request a substitution in Huelva. However, forward Dani Romera will return to the squad after completing a full week of training with the group. He will have minutes in the final stretch of the match if the situation becomes challenging and a comeback is needed.

The Extremaduran coach saw firsthand the 4-2 victory of Intercity against Sevilla Atlético this Wednesday, but remains cautious: "The same with all reserve teams, I have coached one. You have to unsettle them as much as possible and dominate them. If you don't and they have a good day, they can drive you crazy. On Wednesday, they lost 4-2, but it was a misleading scoreline because it was 2-2 until the final minutes, and Sevilla had their chances to win. And against Ibiza, the match was even, and they lost to a set piece."

Hercules' starting eleven against Sevilla Atlético could be: Carlos Abad; Alvarito, Montoro, Sotillos, Retu; Mangada, Colomina, Artiles; Nico Espinosa, Javi Moreno, and Coscia.