Coach of the Matchday 4: Antonio Hidalgo and Deportivo's 2-3 win at Villarreal

RutaMister analysis: we examine the response to the early goal, the second-half substitutions and the substitute who scored moments after coming on, using the cited match report. The outcomes described are observable; tactical intentions are editorial interpretations, not confirmed instructions from the coaching staff.

1. Holding the approach after conceding first

Problem: respond to Pépé's early goal in the 19th minute without losing the team's shape. Observed decision: Hidalgo made no changes before half-time; the starting 4-4-2 kept the same approach for another twenty-four minutes. Outcome: Luismi Cruz equalised in the 43rd minute. The absence of changes alone does not prove an instruction to stay calm; the starting plan may simply have kept creating chances.

2. Matching Villarreal's triple substitution

Problem: Villarreal had refreshed their attack with a triple substitution in the 63rd minute. Observed decision: Hidalgo responded two minutes later with a triple substitution of his own, sending on Loureiro, Casadó and Adama Traoré. Outcome: the score did not move again until the 76th minute, when Adama Traoré scored an own goal; the immediate result does not confirm that the triple change worked as intended.

3. Backing Eddahchouri off the bench

Problem: Deportivo trailed 2-1 after the 76th-minute own goal. Observed decision: Hidalgo withdrew Luismi Cruz, the side's earlier scorer, for Eddahchouri in the 78th minute. Outcome: Eddahchouri equalised in the 79th minute, a minute after coming on. It is the most direct outcome of the three decisions analysed here, though it still does not confirm the exact instruction the player received.

Villarreal took the lead twice and Deportivo came back twice, with the winner arriving in the closing minutes. Hidalgo lined up a 4-4-2 with Leo Román in goal, a back four of Ximo Navarro, Lucas Noubi, Giménez and Quagliata, a midfield of Luismi Cruz, Amatucci, Mario Soriano and Riki, and Aubameyang alongside Bil Nsongo up front.

Pépé put Villarreal ahead in the 19th minute and the score stayed unchanged until half-time. Luismi Cruz equalised in the 43rd minute, sending the teams in level at the break.

The second half opened with changes on both sides. Yeremay replaced Riki in the 54th minute; Villarreal answered with a triple substitution in the 63rd, and Deportivo did the same two minutes later, sending on Loureiro, Casadó and Adama Traoré.

Villarreal regained the lead in the 76th minute, with an own goal from Adama Traoré. Deportivo reacted immediately: Eddahchouri came on for Luismi Cruz in the 78th minute and equalised a minute later, in the 79th.

Aubameyang scored the winning goal in the 88th minute, making it 2-3. The match closed with three yellow cards in the closing minutes, for Buchanan, Amatucci and Yeremay.

Antonio Hidalgo spoke to the press after the match, on 5 September 2026.

“We knew how to stay in the game and turn it around, it's a huge win.” (translated from Spanish)Post-match press conference, 5 September 2026

“This is about taking maximum points, and it's a hugely important win away from home.” (translated from Spanish)Post-match press conference, 5 September 2026

A RutaMister practice inspired by the analysis. This is not an exercise attributed to Antonio Hidalgo. Aim: prepare substitutes to make an impact the moment they step onto the pitch.

• Players: 10 on the pitch (5 v 5) plus 2 substitutes per team ready for a surprise change.
• Area: 30 × 25 metres with two small goals. Adjust the dimensions to the group's ability.
• Duration: four 4-minute blocks; in each block the coach calls a surprise substitution after 2 minutes.
• Organisation: free-flowing 5 v 5; on the substitution signal, the outgoing player leaves immediately and the substitute sprints on from outside.
• Rule: a goal scored within the first 60 seconds after coming on counts double.
• Cue: the substitute must ask for the ball on the first possible touch, rather than wait to settle in.

Coaching intervention: “Are you going to take your time asking for it, or come on already switched on?” If substitutes are slow to get involved, give the warning earlier so they are activated before stepping on.

What to look for: how long each substitute takes to get a first touch, and how many goals arrive in the first minute after a change. If that time drops from the first block to the last, the group has understood the idea. If nobody scores in the first minute, extend the double-goal window to 90 seconds.