Win to erase all doubt. Hercules carries that motto into a duel against Ebro this Saturday at Rico Pérez, with the match kicking off at 19:00. The memory of last week’s setback in Teruel will fade as the team aims to stay in the promotion race. While the season’s early fixtures continue, staying outside the top five remains a concern for the Alicante squad.
Ángel Rodríguez’s side seeks to restore confidence against an Ebro squad that is struggling this season, still searching for a win as the Aragon club navigates a difficult period.
The Hercules objective is clear: secure a victory to climb back into the promotion zone and avoid slipping further in the fight for first place, a gap currently spanning five points.
Ángel Rodríguez: “Hercules cannot lose either their humility or their intensity in games”
The coach emphasized that the squad is focused and ready to respond after the Teruel defeat, a setback that dampened the club’s early-season enthusiasm. The team remains hopeful about player recoveries, with one key defender nearing full fitness and another sidelined by a muscle issue. The latest indications suggest that the coach is unlikely to rush anyone back and is managing any lingering injuries with care.
The probable lineup could feature Carlos Abad in goal; Raúl Ruiz, Dylan Leiva, Roger Riera, and Eimil in defense; Maxi, Michel in midfield; Villacañas, Sergio Marcos, Alvarito, and Jack Harper in attack, a configuration that may be altered by the coach if tactical considerations demand adjustments on the flanks after last week’s result.
From euphoria to common sense
Hercules remains the favorites heading into the clash with an Ebro side that has yet to taste victory after five rounds. The visitors are known to perform differently at home and away, and they are in urgent need of a positive result. The coach stressed the importance of maintaining humility and intensity, warning that every game is a new challenge and that the squad must approach this afternoon’s match with focus and discipline.