Hercules vs Málaga Match Preview
Esteban Vigo's Hercules host Malaga on Sunday in a decisive game for the relegation fight. Hercules misses Matías Fritzler for this clash, as he received his fifth yellow card in the last game.
Things haven't work out as expected since Manuel Pellegrini arrived to Malaga. The visitors are only three points above the relegation line. A defeat at the Rico Perez could deliver a fatal blow to the Boquerones, who have not been particularly successful playing away.
Pellegrini recovers Sebastián Fernández and Patrick Mtliga, but it's expected the same starting eleven that defeated Racing last week will be responsible for dealing with Hercules' defense.
Will Malaga survive the overwhelming firepower of David Trezeguet and Nelson Haedo Valdez?
Hercules vs Málaga Match Report
Hercules awoke in the last 45 minutes and came back from a 1-0 partial defeat as Sebastian Fernandez opened the score in the 11th minute of the game. David Trezeguet and Royston Drenthe lead Hercules in the second half with great success.
In less than 4 minutes the game took a radical twist. Trezeguet, Drenthe and Abraham Paz exposed Malaga's every defensive weakness and gave Hercules a two-goal lead that greatly undermined the spirit of the visitors.
Kiko Femenía followed 10 minutes later to secure a sound victory for Esteban Vigo's Herculeans.
Trezeguet goal was a sheer demonstration of his offensive capabilities. Drenthe scored from the 12-yards point an Abraham Paz with a header after Drenthe sent a perfect cross.
Hercules opened a five-point buffer zone from the relegation line upon this victory while Malaga enters the risk zone with 13 points.