Chance or luck on the synthetic pitch
The request to move beyond conventional turf arose right after Hércules de Alicante steadied itself by beating Sant Andreu. Rubén Torrecilla understood that, in less than a week, the team would again face the challenge of artificial surfaces that have long tested the club in terms of quality. The season rolls on, and the urgency to perform remains high.
Saturday’s game in Andratx marks the ninth time this campaign that the blue-and-white squad will take the field on synthetic material. The previous eight outings had not gone smoothly. The schedule has featured fourteen points earned on rubberized tracks that often showed wear and tear. Losses in Barcelona and Valencia weighed on them, though a draw at the Olímpic de Terrassa offered a small consolation.
Who profits from the plan
For those who prefer old-school tactics, the three wins achieved on boots without studs have come in the Balearic Islands. Hércules secured victories against Penya Independent at both Ibiza and Formentera. The next aim is to build on last Sunday’s success as the team flies to Mallorca for another challenge.
Playing in an environment where conditions differ markedly from Rico Pérez will not be easy. The pitches are smaller, the ball runs differently, and the chances to open space are limited. The setting is so challenging that no one has won in Sa Plana. The squad led by José Manuel Contreras has played ten matches there with five wins and five draws, yet Badalona Futur and Espanyol B have already slipped away, while Andratx has struggled to take points from Europa.
No triumphs in Andratx yet, and Badalona Futur has already fallen there
Torrecilla’s plan faltered when Artiles had to leave the field for the clash in Torrent. In that moment, a decision was made to push forward without a true midfielder in the center. Carlos de la Nava took on a busy workload, harrying and contesting balls, while Mendes was unavailable that day. The coach suspected Agustín Coscia’s potential as he matched the two central defenders. Vicente Mir moved with ballast and experience, avoiding a direct approach to Diego Lorenzo, who was taller and offered a different threat.
Torrecilla had success in Formentera with Bisauguinean midfield presence and De la Nava on the bench. He later collected three points against Penya at Sant Miquel de Balansat, this time with Mendes sidelined by injury and a partnership formed with the Salamanca-born attacker. Diego Lorenzo showed good timing.
What truly helped the Extremadura coach was the addition of both Mendes and De la Nava in the transfer to Santa Eulalia. The early banner victory of the campaign came with them, a 1-5 result that now seems distant, yet it happened just a week before the Christmas break. Defeats did not pile up; the team simply kept moving forward as reality persisted.
Changing the plan
The coach will spend one fewer day on carpet work, shifting the focus from Torrent to a tighter routine. Training sessions will take place at Antonio Valls Sports City today and tomorrow, with a Friday morning session at Rico Pérez. The squad will depart El Altet for Mallorca in the afternoon. As the physical and tactical routine tightens, only Artiles is guaranteed to feature on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the rest, including Alvarito, returned from the rest day in good condition. Ankle swelling that bordered on a sprain has nearly vanished. The fight for first place has intensified, and decisive home duels loom large, as the push for leadership could lift the team out of the difficult phase on the artificial surface at the end of the campaign.