Lolo Escobar laid out a clear plan for the club, and his choices reflected the energy of a squad hungry for results. Against Islas Pitius, Ibiza trimmed the lineup with youth on display: Dani Marín and Jean Paul started again, delivering energy and invention that Coach Escobar values. Michel Herrero was replaced by Manu Navarro, signaling a trust in fresh legs to drive the press and tempo. The strategy was consistent with a belief that age should not dictate opportunity, as the coach firmly positioned the squad to chase promotion while clinging to the need to climb away from the relegation zone. Ander Vitoria was among the substitutes, alongside the newcomer Artiles, while Cedrés joined the starting XI, a combination meant to balance experience with pace. The objective was clear: secure wins at Rico Pérez to keep the promotion bid alive while facing a direct rival in the battle to avoid the drop.
The match began with a vibrant atmosphere and a brisk tempo. Ibiza and their hosts pressed aggressively, trying to win back possession high up the field and disrupt the opponent’s build-up. The opening minutes leaned in the home side’s favor, who controlled much of the play but struggled to carve out a decisive breakthrough. The game moved fast, yet players tended to operate a touch too far from their own goal, inviting quick counters if the ball was lost higher up the pitch. A pivotal moment arrived when a mid-field skirmish changed the course of the game. Jean Paul received a harsh red card after a tough challenge, a decision the referee interpreted as aggression, and the Frenchman was sent off, forcing the home team to adjust with ten men. Rico Pérez watched as dashed expectations unfolded in the first half, with the hosts briefly constrained by numerical inferiority.
Even with Ibiza reduced to ten, the visitors refused to alter their plan. The match remained tightly contested, and discipline shaped the proceedings after the dismissal. The ensuing tenacity kept the scoreline tense as the last line of defense held firm and the pace remained brisk. Raúl Ruiz attempted to break the deadlock with a rising strike, his effort representing a burst of energy rather than a sustained period of pressure on goal. The contest evolved into a battle marked by cautious risks and strategic defending, with both sides aware that a single moment could tilt the balance. Minutes stretched on at Rico Pérez with a sense that the result would hinge on the quality of final passes and the ability to convert set-piece opportunities into concrete chances.
In the second period, Alvarito unleashed the best attacks for the home side, a sign that the locals were still dangerous and capable of creating moments from open play. Lolo Escobar remained steadfast, opting not to alter the midfield balance even after the red card, signaling trust in the younger squad members while waiting for the ideal moment to reintroduce additional firepower. Maxi and Eimil were deployed to inject energy and keep mobility high, helping to relieve the pressure that had built up while the team navigated the constraints of playing with one fewer man. In the closing stretch, José Artiles came on for Sandro Toscano, injecting pace and a fresh wave of aggression into the attack. A golden opportunity arrived for Alvarito, yet Conteras kept the net intact with a decisive stop, and the rebound was then punished by the visitors, who struck back with a quick counter. The match swung from a period of uncertainty to a moment of collective relief when Roger Riera equalized through a well-worked set piece, and Iker added the finish with a dramatic own goal in the dying seconds. The late drama echoed the famous comebacks from Sagunto, underscoring how resilient the side can be. Hercules, for its part, saw growth in the performance and continued to press forward, determined to build on the momentum gained from the match and push toward the next set of results that could stabilize their position in the standings.