Villarreal returned to training on Monday morning after their Liga match against Levante was postponed due to a weather alert. The team, led by Marcelino García Toral, is now focused on preparing for the upcoming Copa del Rey match against Racing de Santander on Wednesday, aiming to progress in the competition.
A key concern for Marcelino is the condition of midfielder Dani Parejo, who is dealing with some discomfort. He is one of the few injured players who may have the chance to be available for the Copa del Rey clash. However, the team will be without players called up for the Africa Cup of Nations, such as Senegalese Pape Gueye and Moroccan Ilias Akhomach.
The squad will also likely miss Thomas Partey, Gerard Moreno, Willy Kambwala, Logan Costa, and Santiago Mouriño. With the injuries and absences, Villarreal’s midfield currently relies heavily on Santi Comesaña, while players from the youth team, Carlos Maciá and Alassan Diatta, are stepping up to fill these gaps as they approach the final matches of the year.
This precarious situation can serve as an opportunity for the younger talents to shine, and fans are hopeful that the resilience of the squad will lead to a successful run in the Copa del Rey. As the Villarreal community comes together to support the team, there is a sense of optimism for what lies ahead.