Sandro Toscano’s life has changed since the arrival of Lolo Escobar. By then, the midfielder had not been included in Ángel Rodríguez’s plans, although he had fully recovered from the injury that caused him to miss last season. With the new coach, Toscano is happy. He has seen the light again and feels like the hero of Hercules. He scored the winning goal last Sunday, and with it, confirmation that the team has beaten again.
How the set changed in three games…
Although we haven’t done anything yet, it’s clear that a lot has changed. We’re on the way, but it should have been like this before. I hope this last minute and behind-the-scenes win will encourage the fans more to be on our side and realize that we are the first team we want to move forward with.
How do you explain such a radical change in just one month?
I said it several times. Football is a series and a roller coaster. What we need to do now is to take advantage of this dynamic and maintain it for as long as possible.
It’s not easy to come back from a game like Sagunto with a 2-0 loss…
Apparently, they later told us that it had been a long time since Heracles had done this as a visitor. It was a very complex field and we knew that. It was worth the three points we got from there.
Seven points out of nine when Lolo Escobar was on the bench What has changed with the new manager?
In the end, every coach is different and it’s clear that the coach came to Hércules to help. He’s been completely involved in every way from day one, and the truth is, it works.
The situation has also changed for Sandro Toscano. From being unable to count, to being the undisputed owner…
Obvious. This is football. No yesterday and same yes today. I hardly played with the previous coach, I had no options and Lolo came and trusted me. I’m trying to regain your trust on the field.
There were no easy days…
No, I’m coming from a long-term injury after all, and the first thing I want to do is get on the field, play, spend minutes. It’s been four or five months with almost no minutes, and it’s complicated. In the end, you need to rely on people who support and love you, who work day after day, who are confident, trustworthy, and have that hope in order to turn the situation around.
Have you had the opportunity to see outside in this winter market?
It’s not up to me, it’s up to the sports management, the coach… Obviously, if I’m not counting the minutes, everybody knows what it’s like. If I don’t play, it makes sense for someone with more minutes to come than me. But now the situation has changed and we will see the winter market.
He said a few weeks ago he felt great when he wasn’t playing, but now he’s been able to show it.
I said in the end, playing in competition is not the same as playing in practice, and I looked physically good, I was at my weight, I felt great, and it was up to the coach. I was fine physically and mentally.
Now Rico Pérez has two games in a row…
I just watched the game on Sunday. After playing for Sagunto, we will be grateful to have played for Rico Pérez. We really want to play with our fans at home again and give them a win.
Has the atmosphere in the dressing room changed a lot while everything is getting better?
Yes, victories always help in the end.
First place is still a long way off, but are you still thinking?
We are not currently setting a long-term goal, we are just looking to win the game this Sunday. You have to think about getting the most points possible, and when May comes, look at the table and see why we’re fighting.
How do you experience the winter market and possible exits within the team?
All the professionals and we know what’s out there both in winter and summer, and there are arrivals and departures. We are so used to all this.