Hercules has faced disruptions in its squad, especially among the forwards, as injuries have limited the availability of key players. Mark Mendes has only appeared in the opening trio of matches, while Agustín Coscia has also been sidelined. The blue-and-white team has had to explore alternatives early in the season, yet injuries have not derailed a promising start. Nico Espinosa is also out longer than anticipated, and the timing of his return remains uncertain. Mendes, together with Colomina, leads Hercules in scoring with two goals and has been essential to the team’s positive momentum at the outset.
Last season saw contributions from Harper and Ander Vitoria with mixed fortunes. Harper managed two goals in a season marked by injuries, while Vitoria disappointed and finished the year without contributing offensively. Years earlier, Hércules de Toro endured a significant injury to Acuña, a signing expected to anchor the attack, which limited the team’s offensive options. That incident helped explain a period when Hércules lacked a clear reference point in attack.
Hercules without Mendes and Coscia on Sunday
Hercules faced a challenge as Mendes and Coscia were unavailable for the upcoming match, creating a fire in the discussion about how the squad would cope without two of its primary attackers. The club remains focused on breadth in attack and tactical flexibility, ready to adapt against the opponent when the ball is in play.
Hercules defeats Andratx in slow motion
Despite injuries and setbacks, Hercules opened the season with a solid performance, generating optimism within the squad that stands in contrast to the last few years. Fans have responded positively, although the latest Saturday schedule did not attract as many spectators as the earlier home games. The plan is to repeat the same weekend tempo against Penya Independent, with a Thursday training session at Ciudad Deportiva on the artificial surface to prepare for the Sunday 12:00 kickoff. The Balearic side sits near the bottom of the table with only two points from two draws and three defeats, having struggled to score and defend at a low level this season.
Hercules gets two days rest until Mendes micro break
After a win that reinforced their confidence, Hercules aims to push for another victory and close the gap to the league leaders, who currently hold the same number of points. The Catalan club sits just one goal behind the pace-setters, reinforcing the message that every edge matters in this phase of the campaign.
Flying start
Hercules enjoyed a remarkable start to the season on home soil, achieving three consecutive wins at Rico Pérez: a 1-0 win over Espanyol B, a 2-0 success against Torrent, and a 1-0 triumph over Andratx. The last time the team opened with three straight home wins was in the 2020-21 season under a previous leadership, marking a notable milestone in the club’s recent history. The breakthrough came after a string of competitive challenges for the squad, with the coaching staff emphasizing stability and the ability to convert chances at home.
In a league where the home advantage can define outcomes, Hercules matched a historic benchmark from the late 2000s, recording a run of positive results on home turf that signposted potential progress toward a higher tier. The home strength of the team, which has yet to concede a goal on Alicante soil, has become a central objective for the new coaching regime and a clear signal of defensive organization and collective resilience.