Hércules will play next Thursday, February 15, in a closed-doors friendly against the Georgian side Torpedo Kutaisi at the Rico Pérez stadium. The friendly is expected to function as a pre-season workout, giving the squad tempo and minutes in a controlled environment. The squad includes some players who may feature less regularly in competitive fixtures, reflecting the coaching plan led by Rubén Torrecilla.
The match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 and will see the Alicante club face a team that finished third in Georgia’s top division. With the 2023 academic year ending in the Eastern European country, Torpedo Kutaisi is preparing for its new season, set to start on March 2. The Conference League continues its pre-season journey in Alicante as part of the team’s wider training camp in the area.
This appointment will allow Hércules to rotate the squad and give minutes to all members. It will also serve to test the progression of left-back Alberto Retuerta, who joined from Deportivo de La Coruña during the winter window. Retuerta had been sidelined by a venous thrombosis in his left leg, but medical reports indicate a return to play at the start of March. Presently, the Madrid-born player is training with the group and progressing toward full participation.
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Following a tally of four yellow cards, Candelas faces potential sanctions, and Torrecilla will assess the performance of a former La Coruña player to potentially replace the La Mancha defender on the left flank. The evaluation will help determine the best option for balancing defensive duties with attacking incursions from the left side.
Additionally, Alvarito will approach the match with greater confidence after having felt some discomfort in his left ankle during recent weeks. The issue caused him to miss clashes against Sant Andreu and Andratx, but the current plan aims to ensure his readiness for upcoming fixtures while safeguarding recovery and form.
Sunday, February 18, 12:00 PM, at the Rico Pérez, attention will be on Hércules as it continues its pre-season rhythm and tests options ahead of the new campaign. The club will avoid exposing the main starting XI in this particular warm-up to minimize injury risk while keeping the squad sharp for leadership battles that lie ahead. The standings at the end of the year kept Hércules in the mix with Lleida and Badalona, as the team looks to maintain momentum on the road toward the Second Federation.
Earlier in December, after the mid-season break, Hércules played another closed-door friendly to regain competitive rhythm against Atletico Torrellano from the Third Federation, a match they won decisively. The upcoming fixtures are designed to keep the squad competitive while shielding players from excessive wear as preparations for the season intensify.
As the calendar moves forward, Hércules will continue to prioritize squad depth and healthy rotation to preserve performance levels. Any decisions about starting lineups and tactical shifts will be driven by observed form, fitness, and the evolving needs of the team as it edges closer to the opening league fixtures. The overall aim remains clear: sustain leadership efforts and build a robust, flexible approach as the club transitions toward the new season in a competitive landscape.