Triple injury blow rocks Valencia ahead of Copa clash
Valencia's Copa del Rey preparations hit by three key injuries as Dimitrievski, Comert and Danjuma all ruled out of Sporting Gijón trip
When it rains, it pours for Valencia CF as their injury crisis deepens just as they prepare for crucial Copa del Rey action against Sporting Gijón.
Crisis deepens for struggling Valencia
Talk about bad timing. Valencia are already up to their neck in relegation worries, sitting 17th in La Liga with the same points as basement dwellers Girona. Now they’ve been hit with a triple whammy of injuries that leaves manager Corberán with a proper headache for their Copa del Rey clash in Gijón.
Three medical reports dropped this morning, and none of them make for pleasant reading if you’re a Valencia supporter:
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Stole Dimitrievski - The Macedonian keeper, who was the hero of their last Copa round with a crucial penalty save against Cartagena, has suffered an adductor muscle injury in his right thigh. He’s looking at a three-week absence minimum.
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Eray Comert - The Swiss centre-back has picked up an abdominal muscle injury from Saturday’s match against Atlético Madrid. He too is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks. This is particularly problematic as Comert was likely to feature in the cup to give regular centre-backs a breather.
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Arnaut Danjuma - The Dutch forward is suffering from ankle problems that rule him out of the Sporting match. The silver lining? His injury appears less serious than his teammates’ muscle tears, suggesting a quicker return to action.
Squad depth severely tested
These injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time for Los Che. With league position looking dicey, the Copa del Rey offers a potential bright spot in their season. However, Corberán now faces some tough decisions about his lineup.
The absence of Comert is especially troubling for squad rotation. The manager may need to call up youth players from the B team if he wants to rest either Copete or Tárrega in central defence.
For a club already struggling with form, losing three players in one swoop is a proper kick in the teeth. The next few weeks will be a serious test of Valencia’s squad depth as they battle on two fronts with depleted resources.