Hercules’ goalkeeper Carlos Abad and the ninth-placed team still face a path that includes at least two positions offering promotion options. The Alicante squad sits one point behind fifth place and five points off fourth-placed Espanyol B, meaning the remaining teams must secure their classifications, except for the goalkeeper, Teruel, and Mestalla, who have maintained their level longer. The blue and white keeper has stood out this season, savoring relief after last Sunday’s victory over Formentera. “We’re in good shape; you’ll notice a bit less tension after a win. After a few tough results, that was obvious. They were nervous and driven to win at home against a direct rival. This win has brought us emotional lift”, he stated.”
Abad focuses on the team’s performance under Rico Pérez and isn’t dwelling on the result as long as the points stay in the bag: “We held the three points we aimed for in the match. It doesn’t matter if the football wasn’t pristine. What matters is winning. When we look at the upcoming games, there won’t be too many nerves.”
Luxury in Abad, Hercules’ destination
The goalkeeper made his stance clear. “Now the target is three points, but we’ll rely on our tools and the coach’s philosophy. Every game is a battle we approach with that mindset, though there are moments when better football is required to win,” Abad noted. He acknowledged that the team sometimes loses focus. “Concentration lapses happen at certain moments. In any division, you cannot allow goals because of them. That has cost us throughout the season. We’re aware of it and are more serious and focused for Sunday. That’s one of the keys to victory,” he added, sounding optimistic about Sunday’s match: “Manresa will be more nervous than we are. We come off a win and carry a lot of confidence in the squad. We have a strong team and are working very well. The enthusiasm and intensity will be similar, if not greater, against direct opponents. We expect to play many matches.”
Hercules CF | Top five in eight steps
Abad isn’t worried about the contrast between his 30 goals and the season’s big numbers, emphasizing that football often carries unfair elements. He believes his season has been outstanding, but goals are a team metric in the end. The attention focused on the goalkeeper is balanced by the collective effort needed to leave the slate clean for victories.
Abad stressed that Hércules cannot be pressed beyond the next game. “There is a sense of a final in every match for this club, and the idea of playing at Rico Pérez carries extra pressure. Yet the players are seasoned and ready for those moments.”
Regarding the fans in blue and white, he said, “There is a sense of safety at Rico Pérez, but it is natural for supporters to feel more tense after several home defeats. That stress translates into a sharper push during the next match.”
Injury updates and availability
César Moreno is on the mend and will miss Sunday’s 12:00 kickoff in Manresa. Hércules misses his presence in midfield and is eager for his return, though there is no set date yet. Harper, sidelined by a severe toe injury, is unlikely to travel to Manresa as he has not trained recently, and Diego Jiménez remains with the squad with a month left in his commitment.