Depression and elation pull in opposite directions with equal intensity. They may cross paths, which is a natural part of life, but carrying both as a constant weight is a harsh burden. This bipolar reality—real, identifiable, and disruptive—shapes existence, turning the road to happiness into a jagged path of potholes, walls, and unfinished bridges. It consumes those who suffer and anyone who is touched by their orbit. In football circles, similar storms appear, trapped in a loop of feeling invincible one moment and utterly exposed the next. Yet within football, the illusion of randomness is often dispelled by a concrete reason.
Conclusion
Winning always justifies everything, no matter what.
The end-of-game analysis shifts with the result: praise flows when victory is earned, and blame surfaces when the scoreboard tells a different story. Sometimes a coach’s name is shouted in victory, only to vanish from memory weeks later when the team struggles. The arrival of a new pairing, such as the separation with Angel Rodriguez and the arrival of Lolo Escobar, alters dynamics, and chance becomes a more tangible force. Against the odds, unlikely victories arrive from players drawn from different backgrounds, turning potential losses into surprising wins.
These changes in tactics—spotting beneficiaries and recognizing victims—can take root in locker rooms, where luck is a valuable ally yet finite. When luck shifts, it is essential to weave a safety net that can catch a team when the wind changes, helping sustain a season that might otherwise crumble.
27 GOALS
Hercules conceded a goal in his first 22 league games. Only three teams have worse records, two of them slipping into decline and the other, Badalona Futur, hovering to avoid relegation.
The streak will end, of course. The aim is not to plunge from good form to bad without a transition. Mitigating the damage makes the fall more bearable. The coaching change brought key adjustments: roaming, attacking deployment, space occupation, collective concepts, and resource optimization. Yet it did not erase the flaw that followed Hercules from Palma to the start of September: a defense that wavered.
A grave error in team preparation was addressed in one way by sports management, but the issue remained embedded on the field. The blue-and-white squad lacked a framework capable of enduring close battles with top opponents. Rodriguez struggled to find cohesion with the less potent players, resulting in a fragile defense. Escobar strengthened the line but not sufficiently yet. The defense is a collective responsibility; weakness is the result of missing leadership behind it.
Failures have names
A coach is not the sole person responsible for outcomes. Projects that succeed often recognize a single leader, yet true achievement comes from a team that would not have reached goals without the input of many. Hercules’ defense has shown persistent vulnerabilities; it has been evident since the season began, even as efforts to fix aspects of the game continued. The defense’s fragility is part of a broader pattern that needs reinforcement from teammates and direction from leadership.
Every year, capable players who bring serviceable records and steady progress join the squad. In Alicante, however, long-term continuity remains elusive. The club often encounters a tunnel that drains energy and talent. There are numerous examples to point to when describing this trend.
11 PLAYERS
Scored at least one goal this season. Alvarito, Riera, and Míchel have contributed a combined 13 of the team’s 24 goals in the first 22 league games, a stark illustration of a hit-or-miss offense that struggles to finish.
Hercules needs a real shift to become cohesive. Escobar must help the team move as a unit, with better timing and clearer attacking intent from the outset. Michel Herrero’s importance is unquestionable; every move seems to pass through him. If his involvement dips, the rest of the game becomes harder, making the team more vulnerable. Alvarito and Roger Riera must push toward higher status to lift the group from stagnation.
When a poor pass interrupts an attacking flow, the defensive structure can fray, allowing the opposition to gain ground. A single misplaced pass can tilt balance, and Escobar cannot rectify every deficit with morale boosts alone. Quality and higher investment in key roles are required to restore equilibrium on the field.
Two players, Ander Vitoria and Sergio Marcos, contribute little and are almost invisible in the stat sheet. The team therefore must look to other contributors to drive progress. In contrast, Alvarito and Riera have the potential to set higher standards for the rest of the squad, pushing them toward better outcomes and greater consistency. (Citation: team performance report)