Little lover of changes, and less after a victory as loose and forceful as last Saturday against Logroñés (4-0), Vicente Moreno this time will be forced to significantly modify the line-up that he will present against Castellón, this Friday. The coach has before him a real puzzle between casualties due to the international commitments of a FIFA break that does not respect the Second Division and doubts due to annoyances.
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* Data updated as of March 24, 2021
Three changes are safe in the starting team with respect to the previous match. The left band is exposed, since both Adrià Pedrosa and Javi Puado are in Slovenia, playing the first phase of the U21 Euro Cup with the Spanish National Team, which this Wednesday debuted with a 3-0 that the Espanyol forward himself opened, and in which the side did not enjoy minutes. Y Espanyol is left without Keidi Bare in the center of the field, enrolled in the Albania team, which this Thursday is measured against Andorra in the Principality (8:45 pm). Nor will Matías Vargas, concentrated in Japan with the Argentine Under-23 team, although his role had been much more testimonial.
To the international ones we should add the uncertainty, at least until this Thursday –Moreno usually gives clues in his public appearances– on the state of Raúl de Tomás and David López, who a priori should be recovered to play against Castellón. The striker was injured against Logroñés for a few last minute discomfort in one knee, while the youth squad had to withdraw after 23 minutes of meeting by a blow to the ribs, although it was later learned that fortunately he did not suffer any cracks. A hypothetical absence of David would be doubly compromised, since without Keidi and the injured Pol Lozano, the squad would suffer from a born defensive pivot.
Vicente Moreno, giving directions in the middle of the Espanyol game.
Gorka Leiza (Diario AS)
As it is, in the New Castalia will reappear with enough probability by the left wing Dídac Vilà, whose previous participation ended with a red card against Oviedo (1-1), and has many ballots to do it too Nico Melamed, who has gone from revulsive to starter, and vice versa, during the season. But also have their options Wu Lei and, to a lesser extent, Álvaro Vadillo. Likewise, Fernando Calero can have continuity in the axis of the rear. And, also in defense, the youth squad await their moment as Omar El Hilali and Ricard Pujol.
As for the midfielder, in case David was not recovered, Fran Mérida's coach would use, one of his usual changes and that was from the game in the first stage of the championship. Above, it is clear that the alternative to De Tomás is Nany Dimata, who has already played and scored against Logroñés. In short, an amalgam of combinations that until now had not been presented to one of the technicians who most often endorses the premise that 'what works, better not touch it'.