Hércules Eye a Confident Run as Carlos Abad Shines in Goal
What stands out this season is a clear, shared objective from Hércules: secure a steady path to safety. Since the pre-season, Carlos Abad has been a calm force between the posts, delivering dependable performances that offer the defense a reliable anchor. At 27, the Tenerife-born keeper has become the only player to feature every minute across eight games, earning points for Hércules with his sharp reflexes and smart anticipation. Completing the shield of the team is essential as the defense remains a work in progress, inviting steely challenge from opponents who still press high and test the back line. Abad has become a key factor in stabilizing those moments when danger threatens the door.
The blue and white side has leaned on Abad to keep games within reach, a role that has brought praise for his consistency. His standout performances have helped Hércules collect three important points against Peña Deportiva, a squad that faced a difficult day on the road. On the flip side, the club can celebrate the successful addition of a reliable Canary Islands goalkeeper for the current season, a move that strengthens the squad as it navigates a competitive campaign.
Carlos Abad: “Playing for Hércules is a step forward and a great challenge”
Hércules has long relied on Abad’s breadth of experience in Spanish football. His journey includes key spells with Tenerife and Córdoba, contributing 41 appearances in the second division. His resume also features time with Real Madrid Castilla and Deportivo de La Coruña in the third tier, where he added 77 matches to defend the goal. An international chapter occurred with Xanthi in the Greek Super League during the 2019/20 season, where he earned recognition from fans as the team’s best player of the season. His professional debut with Tenerife came in the 2014-15 season, spanning a 45-minute appearance in the 13th week against Llagostera and a full match against Mallorca on the Canary Islands field a week later, both underlining his readiness to contribute at a high level.
Alvarito, the young blue and white star: “I have a lot to learn”
Alvarito represents the club’s rising generation, a young talent who continues to develop within the blue and white setup. His eagerness to learn and grow is clear as he trains with the squad and contributes when called upon, signaling promise for the future of Hércules in a season defined by growth and resilience.
artificial grass
The team is preparing for upcoming fixtures with a training plan that emphasizes adaptation to the surface at the field in Formentera this Sunday. Sessions this Thursday and Friday take place at the Sports City, with the squad focusing on getting comfortable with artificial turf to ensure smooth transitions during match days. The majority of the squad will be available, including players who have recovered from recent absences, while one key forward remains a cautious return as the team aims to minimize risk on the surface. The presence of a returning veteran midfielder adds stability to Ángel Rodríguez’s plan, reinforcing the structure needed to compete at a high level.
Hércules earned a narrow three-point result on the previous Sunday, but the performance left room for improvement especially at the back. Abad faced pressure from opponents who pressed the goal, highlighting the ongoing need for cohesive defending. The club sits eight points behind the league leader, a position that amplifies the importance of each upcoming game in a highly competitive mid-table. Victory in the next match would prevent a slide and help Hércules stay within reach of the upper echelon, where Teruel currently holds a solid advantage. The upcoming clash against Formentera, a team level on points with Hércules, promises a tense fight on a smaller field, with every effort counting toward securing a favorable result and maintaining momentum in a tightly packed division.