Deportivo to face Lugo in third preseason friendly on Wednesday

Deportivo showed its first signs of form against Compostela at Vero Boquete de San Lázaro, then revealed both key strengths and areas for improvement in a goalless draw against Real Oviedo at the Carlos Tartiere. This week, the club steps up the pace of preseason with a whirlwind of friendlies, alternating training with full-scale rehearsals to build fitness and assess Antonio Hidalgo's project ahead of the First Division campaign.

The Herculino side faces its third summer friendly this Wednesday (7:30 PM, TVG) against Lugo at the A Magdalena stadium in Vilalba. It is a new opportunity to fit the pieces together and continue fine-tuning before the European tour begins this Saturday (6:30 PM) in Hamburg against St. Pauli.

Hidalgo's Testing Ground

Antonio Hidalgo has already begun to reveal the general outlines of a Deportivo side that still lacks all its pieces after the first two friendlies of the summer. Some players are yet to arrive, others need to head for the exit, and several remain on the sidelines, waiting to recover and become key again in the Canovelles coach's plans.

On Monday, Miguel Loureiro completed part of the session with the rest of the group, as did David Mella last week. Both continue with their specific recovery plans. Yeremay is in the same situation, with an eye on the trip to Germany and Italy. Also working on the sidelines were:

• Bright Ede (adductor discomfort)
• Altimira (knee contusion suffered in Oviedo)
• Jonathan Asp Jensen
• Fabril player Noé Carrillo

Key Partnerships Emerging

One hundred minutes spread over two matches were enough for Mario Soriano and Lorenzo Amatucci to develop chemistry in Deportivo's engine room. Teun Gijselhart earned cheers after scoring on his debut in Santiago, though he had little chance to shine in the final half hour in the Asturian capital.

Bil Nsongo, Zakaria Eddahchouri, and especially Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are again competing for their place at the spearhead of the attack. The Gabonese striker, presented this Tuesday as Deportivo's new player, already showed glimpses of his quality in the 60 minutes he played in Oviedo. His stride and speed served as an ideal calling card for a 37-year-old forward who also formed a good partnership with Bil in attack. He only lacked a goal—something he aims to settle in his second match in blue and white.

Rotation and Defensive Depth

Rotation in goal is another incentive, after Parreño played the full 90 minutes at the Tartiere. In front of the goalkeeper—whether it is Germán, Ferllo, or Leo Román—there will be a defensive line still awaiting reinforcements and continuing to draw on youth academy players such as Xabi Campos, Samu, or Quique Teijo, who made his debut most recently. Others like Kevin or Adrián Guerrero are also vying to convince Hidalgo in more advanced positions and will make the most of every minute they get in preseason.

The Opposition

Deportivo will face a Lugo side that has a familiar face on the bench. Borja Fernández leads the albivermello team after securing UD Ourense's promotion to Primera RFEF last season. Lugo are coming off a draw against Celta's B team in their first summer friendly. Former Fabril player Marc Martínez will be in goal. Lugo will be Fabril's league rivals this season and will face the blue-and-white B team next Saturday, August 1 (7:00 PM) in Pol.

Source: La Opinión A Coruña