Position one is claimed twice over. Ángel Rodríguez Hercules now faces a four-way battle to balance the lineup for the upcoming contest. The latest move sits on the left flank as he fights for the starting berth alongside Philip Chacartegui. Across the pitch, Raul Ruiz and Victor Eimil contend for a spot in the eleven. Of the quartet, the only one who clearly favors a defensive role is the Cádiz native; the other three are known for their attacking flair, each carrying a long track record that highlights their offensive prowess. The Leon coach prefers to press from the outside and pin inside with three midfielders. With three votes cast, the assembled options should align perfectly for this system.
Finding balance on the right wing will be a challenge for this competition. The blue-and-white manager must choose between the team captain and a natural locker-room leader—one of the most informed prognostic players the coach has worked with, having previously guided the group through a tough season.
On the opposite flank, the Hercules technical team has faced additional hurdles. The early season even began with the youth squad in La Manga on a Wednesday. Damian Secilla debuted with the first team last year but did not receive a call-back when Sergio Mora joined the squad after Alicante’s side dropped a match at Puertollano.
Carlos Abad: “I didn’t come to be on the beach”
►The Hercules goalkeeper stresses that there is still considerable room for improvement among teammates
After the stalemate with Cartagena’s reserve side in La Manga, there was a muted sense of satisfaction during warmups. The result did not satisfy the group, who recognized the need to push their intensity range to leverage the choral strengths seen in several players. One of them, Carlos Abad, spoke out: “I came to Hercules de Alicante not to lounge on San Juan Beach, but to give my best,” the Canarian goalkeeper stated, noting that preseason remains with plenty of room to improve. Abad highlighted that the squad is Angel Rodríguez’s and that even with many new faces, the team could compete and merge effectively. He described the Alicante bloc as a dense unit both with and without the ball, and he assessed in the Second RFEF that the contrast between defensive and offensive density made the difference.
Regarding his form, the goalkeeper said he felt grounded and added that his sensations improve each day. He praised the overall level of the squad, which will square off against Catalan and Balearic opponents, but stressed that if Hércules performs to its potential, opponents should not be feared.
Felipe brings greater resilience and the ability to withstand pressure, while Ángel Rodríguez backed the winger’s arrival and the addition of Bravo, who joined Alicante yesterday after signing a fresh contract. The Madrid-born youngster will occupy one of the under-23 spots. He previously trained with Rayo Majadahonda, a club owned by federations that held sports rights and later moved to DUX Internacional de Madrid, where he played last season, registering 27 appearances in the first RFEF.
The technical secretariat continues to meet with goalkeeper Iván Martínez to address the Canary Islands-born Carlos Abad for a starting role in goal.
Hércules also holds the option to buy if they decide to keep the player beyond the season’s end. Manuel Navarro makes his first move away from home to pursue his career.
The technical staff still has two senior free slots to refresh the squad. The aim is to bring in a third central defender (following the injury to Sergio Molina’s knee last January) and to explore Half Point alternatives in a scenario with a single forward starter. The two remaining positions under-23 remain unfilled. The clearest option appears to be for the goalkeeper Iván Martínez to compete openly with Carlos Abad.
Iván Martínez for the Hercules goal
Pedro Rojas
Hercules signs with Victor Eimil
Pedro Rojas