Valencia forced into tactical reshuffle as Foulquier injury woes continue
Carlos Corberán likely to switch to three at the back against Real Madrid following Dimitri Foulquier's late withdrawal from the Valencia squad.
Valencia’s preparation for their crucial clash with Real Madrid has hit a late snag with Dimitri Foulquier ruled out through injury, potentially forcing Carlos Corberán into a significant tactical rethink.
The French right-back has been a fixture in the starting XI since Thierry Rendall’s injury but now finds himself sidelined with persistent knee problems that prevented him from completing Saturday’s training session.
Defensive headache
Corberán’s defensive options are looking proper thin on the ground ahead of the Madrid visit:
- Rulo Iranzo suffered a sprained internal lateral ligament during Friday’s training
- Thierry Rendall has made the squad but remains a major risk, having only just rejoined group training less than a month after his hamstring injury
- César Tárrega has been nursing knee problems since December
This defensive crisis leaves Corberán with few alternatives but to implement a system change, likely shifting to three central defenders against Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Núñez debut on the cards
The situation could open the door for winter window arrival Unai Núñez to make his Valencia debut. The centre-back, on loan from Celta Vigo, might be deployed in a hybrid role - functioning as a third centre-back when defending while shifting wider in possession.
It wouldn’t be the first time Corberán has employed such tactical flexibility against Real Madrid, though previously he had Foulquier available to execute the plan.
Possible starting XI
With these adjustments in mind, Valencia could line up with: Dimitrievski; Rioja, Unai Núñez (or Tárrega), Comert, Copete, Gayá; Pepelu, Ugrinic; Beltrán, Danjuma; and Hugo Duro.
Unlike recent matchday squads, Corberán has named everyone available rather than making technical cuts, with both Raba and Santamaría returning to the fold after previous omissions.
The Los Che gaffer will need all hands on deck if they’re to get anything from this fixture against the league leaders. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end for potential debutant Núñez - facing Real Madrid at Mestalla is quite the baptism of fire!