Deportivo La Coruña vs Hercules Match Preview
Monday's game will be decisive for the bottom fight, as Deportivo and Hercules stand only four and five points above the relegation line respectively. Miguel Angel Lotina will have to do without Ivan Sanchez, Juliano Antonello, Andres Guardado and Michel, while Hercules' coach Esteban Vigo is likely to be able to play with both David Trezeguet and Paraguayan international Nelson Haedo Valdez.
Last week's victory 3-1 against Levante provided a major boost to Hercules' morale. Another victory might take Vigo's boys to the 11th position and open a safe buffer zone from the relegation line. The hosts went through a nightmare during the first 8 matches of the season but have made up for the lost time with three victories in the last five matches. A victory is mandatory to lift the spirit of Lotina's Turcos.
"It's been six weeks since we were lastly defeated. Last week things didn't work out as expected but now we must focus on Monday's match and improve our playing. We must leave it behind and defeat Hercules at home, doing things as best as we could to keep our wheels in motion" said Deportivo striker Adrian Lopez. Deportivo misses Paraguayan winger Claudio Morel, as he travelled to South America to attend to a personal matter.
Lotina might choose to leave Pablo Álvarez and Yves Desmarets on the bench after their disappointing performance in Santander last week. Deportivo's 5-3-2 formation has been decisive for Montañeses' awakening, will they be able to stand against the overwhelming firepower of Esteban Vigo's Blanquiazules?