From the undisputed starter to the bench warmer, a player under 23 stands out. Ander Vitoria, who had earned the highest confidence from the coach in pre-season and at the start of the league, faced a shift this week and found himself riding the substitute bench as the third option. A Hercules striker who brings a different kind of value but lacks a consistent eye for goal still has plenty to prove.
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Hercules denounces racist insults to Jean-Paul on Torrent
Basque forward was moved down in the rotation by Ángel Rodríguez, who favors the strength, mobility, and energy that younger players bring. Jean Paul, the French forward from Rayo, spoke out about an alleged racist incident at the club during a subsidiary meeting in Torrent last season, without naming names.
Against Ebro, the bottom-side needed a victory at home after a defeat. The coach preferred a French option, maintaining a goalless scoreboard, while Ander Victoria endured the awkward result and the team’s overall performance. In the second half, a few runs from Leon shifted momentum in front of the coach, but the star remained on the sidelines until the final whistle, after which the coach invited him back to his chair.
The Castilian coach envisions a single central reference point on the edge of the attack. This Biscayan striker has carved a niche in the early rounds of both competitions. In both, the place is awarded to the player the coach believes earned it today: Jack Harper. The Scot stepped into the role of the number nine as soon as he recovered from the joint issue he carried from Getafe.
While Kolista led the way and the team pressed for a goal, the Biscayan stayed on the bench without fatigue from the changes.
He had been getting a head start for four weeks in a row and added: one goal, delivering for the Alicante team against Espanyol B. The season lingered unevenly in the second division, and Hércules delivered its best home performance in almost two decades. As his presence grew, Ander faded in importance within the system until he disappeared from the field.
Two days of thinking and rest returned him to the first team
The Hércules squad enjoyed a short break after a stumble at home against the bottom team in the third group. They resumed training at Fontcalent this morning. Observing the team’s regression since the strong display against Espanyol B at Rico Pérez, Ángel Rodríguez planned to extend the break and dedicate five consecutive days to thorough preparation for upcoming fixtures. The incident in Paterna on Sunday against the Valencia subsidiary prompted a reset and renewed energy. The players arrived with mild soreness but ready to fight again.
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He logged minutes on the road at El Prat, played about half an hour at home against the Spanish affiliate the following week, and then appeared for 13 minutes against the leaders in Teruel. A season of ups and downs had the team reflecting on the need for more decisive contributions. The coach urged the squad to stay focused, chase the goal with unity, and push for win-worthy performances. The moment arrived when Jean Paul made his first-team debut that day, scoring a pivotal goal.
Integrating Ander into Hercules’ offensive rhythm remained a priority. Last year in Culture, as a reference in the First RFEF, he netted 10 goals in 29 matches. The team has shown the difficulty of converting chances into goals, and there is a clear call for reliable, consistent scoring from the wings and the center. Without that, the season could grow more complicated as the battle for promotion continues.