Hercules Aims to Tame a High-Flying Reserve Team

Hercules faces a formidable challenge this Sunday (12:00 PM) as they visit Sevilla Atlético. Ruben Torrecilla's team, significantly weakened by injuries, will strive to secure some points against the most in-form reserve team in the league. Sevilla Atlético has achieved four consecutive victories, the latest being a notable 0-2 win at Enrique Roca de Murcia. The reserve team hasn't conceded a goal at home for three months, and the management is clearly aiming for promotion to the Segunda División, where their most promising youth players would gain experience in professional football, just one step below the first team, one of the historic clubs in Spanish football.

At Hercules, spirits are more tempered following the convincing victory against Fuenlabrada. The public complaints from coach Ruben Torrecilla regarding the management of the winter transfer market have subsided over the weeks, as the coach has accepted that the battle is lost because no more signings can be made. Now, they can only hope for a swift recovery of forward Yanis Senhadji from his meniscus surgery to assist in the final stretch of the league.

The situation has become more complicated for Torrecilla this week due to the absence of key players like midfielder Roger Colomina and winger Nico Espinosa. Both are crucial for the coach, but they will remain in Alicante. Colomina must serve a suspension for accumulating yellow cards, and Nico will rest due to a muscle micro-tear suffered against Fuenlabrada, which forced him to request a substitution at halftime. The youth player hopes to be fit for the match on March 1st against Recreativo de Huelva, but neither the coaching staff nor the medical team can guarantee it due to his history of muscle injuries. Extreme caution will be taken with Nico, and his reintegration into the group will be carefully managed. Additionally, Mangada is also likely to be absent due to a muscle issue that also forced him to request a substitution last Sunday. Tests show no muscle tear, but the Alicante player does not feel in top condition.

In light of this situation, Artiles and Mario García will take charge in midfield, with the only question being whether Oriol Soldevila or Aranda will play ahead of them. Alvarito will continue on the left wing following his goal against Fuenlabrada, and the dynamic Javi Moreno will remain on the right. There are also doubts in the attack as Dani Romera is available again, although the coach might continue with Coscia. In defense, there are no doubts, as Hercules recently delivered one of their best performances of the season in this area, with Montoro and Sotillos performing excellently, and Retu and Samu Vázquez in good form.