Hércules and Atlético Saguntino Face a Critical Cup Moment in Alicante
It is always tough to win when everything seems lost. Hércules closes another rough chapter in their stadium, the atmosphere heavy with desolation. They arrive ready to make history with a strong crowd in attendance, yet the goal remains simple: secure permanence and reach the King’s Cup round of 16.
The presence of two of Saguntino Athletic’s affiliates among the top five in their RFEF Second Division groups boosts the stakes. The 8th-place blue and whites must beat the Valencians. A total of 106 teams will compete in the qualifying trophy, a chance for clubs expelled from LFP to rub shoulders with the big clubs for a night and feel the thrill once again.
That ambition was not enough to steady the project. Lolo Escobar traced the drift that preceded it, with Alberto Retuerta lacking defensive fortitude, lacking competitive arguments, lacking team coordination, and lacking the essential objective. The initial spark faded into a weightless spell that turned the blue and white squad into an easy opponent to beat.
Alberto Retuerta is out with yellow cards, Nico and Cedrés remain injured, and Harper could be added to the list when deemed necessary.
The flip side shows a club that changed its trajectory by changing direction. On matchday 20, Escobar took charge of Saguntino as the Valencians sat in fifteenth place and delivered liberation with four points. Since then, they have won eight of thirteen matches and lost only twice, the second loss coming in a hard-fought game against Valencia’s subsidiary at the Antonio Puchades Sports City in Paterna. In form terms, the club matches the pace of the league leaders, promising a tense clash ahead. There is no room for complacency from any side.
With three former blue and white players on the roster—Carlos David, Juanma Acevedo, and Pedro Torres—the attack and defense gain depth. They are convinced they can survive the Copa del Rey and perhaps push for a playoff berth on the final day.
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Eight wins in thirteen matches, guided by Sergi Escobar after the dismissal of Gerard Albadalejo. The arrival of Castellón’s coach was pivotal. On the 20th matchday, he took the helm with four points of liberation while the team sat in 15th. Since then, Atlético Saguntino has collected twenty-seven of thirty-nine points, losing only twice and drawing three times in their thirteen leadership duels.
The protests against ownership remain heated, amplified by the controversial decision regarding the replacement for Carlos Parodi, who will hold the post for the last time today. A supporters’ platform has urged the fans not to walk away, hoping Rico Pérez Stadium will finish the season with a strong presence on the field.
Carlos David, Juanma Acevedo and Pedro Torres return to Rico Pérez as part of the Sergi Escobar project
Fans can feel the momentum within Lolo Escobar’s squad. Alberto Retuerta faces sanctions, Nico Espinosa and Christian Cedrés are injured, and Jack Harper trains with intensity, never fully at 100%.
The Wizard Who Forged Hércules’ Greatest Era
Tony Cabot
Hércules faces a decisive outcome, traveling to Ibiza to complete the regular stage. The fifth tier of national football offers a stark reality: seeing is believing. Depending on the results of the remaining rounds, Hércules could still reach the Copa del Rey finish line or be left to ponder what might have been.
Before the opening whistle, a minute’s silence will honor Arsenio Iglesias, who passed away on Friday. He rose to the elite with Hércules and remains a landmark in the club’s history for his time on the bench when the team reached the Premier League’s higher echelons. This gesture stands as a worthy tribute on a difficult morning.