The wind does not favor those who sail without direction. It is sharp, it is biting, it is quick to judge. It seems that way on the surface, yet it is often only a façade. With no anchor to grab hold of, everyone on board feels the pressure. The coach himself tends to articulate this pressure by confronting a different opponent on the same ship every week.
The path to defeat is built from a mix of small and large missteps, the choices made by players, and the coach’s own decisions. His provocative, populist speeches can erode self-criticism from the start. Heracles has long carried its share of criticism from many regions, but emphasis now centers on finding tactical fixes for whoever needs them most. Instead of seeking a way to salvage a block that is average at best and not the worst, the team often settles into a mold that seems all too familiar.
Two times since Lolo Escobar arrived, Alicante’s side has frustrated a 2-0 halftime lead at Rico Pérez. The difference from earlier draws lies in tone: previously they felt arrogant and overconfident against Mallorca B in January; now the mood is the opposite. Fear, insecurity, and a sense of inferiority spread quickly through the squad, dragging the locker room into a bleak mood that borders on despair.
Míchel Herrero, who scored twice in 45 minutes, surpassed Alvarito as the top scorer for the blue-and-white club.
Sunday football feels easier than Hercules might admit. Yet uncertainty about who to play and what system to use still dominates after 27 games. The squad faces a vast puzzle with many moving parts. Resolutions appear inconsistent, leaving little time for ideas to take root. In theory, every opponent can be hurt, and comfort spreads among players, even those who least enjoy the ball.
Terrassa was not an exception. By filling the blue-and-white box with a strategic layout and purposeful movement, they found the goal cleanly eight times. Carlos Abad proved the most dangerous opponent, as a poorly placed pass between the center-backs led to a quick, early penalty in the second half.
The moment the penalty was conceded, the door opened to a series of unpleasant events that followed. Tuscany again demonstrated his ability to initiate attacks with precise timing and tactical rigor. The midfielder controlled the ball in the opponent’s half, surveyed the field, and delivered a pass that set up the breakthrough for the visiting winger who moved into scoring space.
Herrero delivered two messages through his play: the team has a different factor that matches its needs, and the farther the ball travels from the goal, the more it can be wasted if not executed with care.
César Moreno returns from injury and wins a free kick that allows Jordi Cano to equalize from the penalty spot.
The way his foot adapts to the match, against a team intent on possession, became the standout moment in a contest that featured a controversial penalty awarded to Hercules. A precise strike with the Valencian’s right foot bent past the goalkeeper and could have forced a decisive draw.
It did not come to pass. In the end, Hercules left the field with two points rather than one, as Terrassa never felt Alicante’s apparent superiority reflected in the score. After the penalty, the Catalans pressed hard, following Abad closely and closing the gap with defenders at the moment of need.
DATA SHEET
► HERCULES: Carlos Abad, Raúl Ruiz, Roger Riera, Mario Gómez, Retuerta, Maxi Ribero, Míchel (Felipe, 82′), Toscano (Dani Marín, 89′), Artiles, Alvarito (César Moreno, 82′) and Jean Paul.
► TERRACE: Marcos, John, Lucas Viña, Perera (Servetti, 84′), Lledó, Serrano (Carlos Martínez, 72′), Morales, Jordi Cano, David Jiménez, Spartalis (Karim, 85′), and Meshak.
► TARGETS: 1-0, 19 minutes: Michel. 2-0, 44 minutes: Michel (penalty). 2-1, 46 minutes: Jordi Cano (p). 2-2: 93 minutes: Jordi Cano (p).
► REFEREE: Alejandro Ojaos Valera (Cartagena). Yellow cards: Mario Gómez, Retuerta, Raúl Ruiz, Jean Paul, Riera, Alvarito, César Moreno, Lledó, Lucas Viña, and Meshak (Hércules).
► STADIUM: Rico Pérez. 4,750 spectators.
The decision surrounding the late substitutions showed a tactical mismatch, affecting the flow of the match. The Terrassa coach made changes only late, leading to a crowded defense and a product that failed to convert the moment into points. The home side’s defense struggled and errors compounded as the clock ran down. The coach’s cautious approach and late adjustments left the team exposed, turning a potential positive result into a difficult one. With eighteen points still on the table, the season’s trajectory remains uncertain for both teams.