The curse of the defenders

The Valencia will face the match against Eibar next Monday with several casualties. The most significant is that of the defenders Gayà and Guillamón, who fell in the duels against Alavés and Atlético, respectively. And also just after they both returned from their respective concentrations with the senior Spanish teams and U21s.

The point is that Valencia is being very punished this season for injuries, especially on the defensive plot. In addition to Gayà and Guillamón, they have also fallen in these months of competition Eliaquim Mangala, Gabriel Paulista and Mouctar Diakhaby, all with muscle problems in the thigh. Five defenders to which should be added Jasper Cillessen, goalkeeper, who is injured with a tear in the quadriceps that had to be intervened.

The curse of the defenders in Valencia started at 17 minutes into the season. In the first league game, against Levante, Mangala was injured and had to be substituted. The French central he missed five games (Celta, Huesca, Real Sociedad, Betis and Villarreal) although in reality he did not return until last Saturday, when he played 33 minutes due to Guillamón's injury, against Atlético.

The next to fall was Paulista, with which the two central headlines in the league debut met in the infirmary. Other thigh muscle injury kept him off the pitch for three games (Huesca, Real Sociedad and Betis). Next, the one who fell was Diakhaby. It was in the match against Elche, just when Paulista was returning. He has lost the duels against Getafe, Real Madrid, Alavés and Atlético. In principle, he is to return on Monday against Eibar.

Two days ago, against Alavés, the one who put his hand on the back of his thigh was José Gayà. It was the last minute of the game and his hamstring said enough. Will be several weeks away. The duel against Atlético has already been lost and that of Monday against Eibar will surely be lost. Keep working out in the gym and with the physios. The last to fall was Guillamón, against Atlético. He also forced the fifth yellow of the cycle with what is also sanctioned. However, it has also for several weeks.

With this background, the defenders will have to be very careful next Monday, in Ipurua. For now, the only three defenders on the squad who have not been injured have been Wass, Correia and Toni Lato.