DIEGO LOPEZ NEWS

Opens scoring in loss Lopez scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and two crosses (one accurate) in Friday's 3-1 defeat to Celta Vigo.

Impact Lopez bagged Valencia's lone goal with a header from close range in the 14th minute, though Ivan Villar could've done more to prevent that goal. It's been only two weeks of the campaign, but Lopez seems to be in line to have a prominent role in Valencia's final third.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

In starting XI Lopez (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Friday's match against Celta Vigo.

Impact Lopez has returned from his issues after leaving their opening match of the season early due to an undisclosed injury. He is immediately back in the starting XI and should remain in that role moving forward, starting in 30 of his 36 appearances last campaign.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Injury after assist Lopez was subbed off due to an injury during the game's 66th minute. He logged one assist with his three crosses (one accurate) and three chances created as Valencia lost 2-1 to Ba...

Impact An undisclosed injury has caused Lopez's availability to be questionable as the Valencia team will prepare for a Friday game at Celta Vigo. Having him available is expected to be crucial, especially after he logged the assist of Valencia's lone goal Saturday.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Fires in four shots Lopez registered four shots (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and three chances created in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Celta Vigo.

Impact Lopez had a decent outing despite not finding the back of the net or earning a goal contribution, as he registered four shots and three chances created in the draw. The attacker ends his campaign starting in 30 of his 36 appearances, notching three goals on 41 shots and six assists on 39 chances created to go along with 65 crosses and 37 tackles.

MAY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Plays full game against Girona Lopez recorded two shots (two on goal), four crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 3-1 defeat against Girona.

Impact Lopez showcased his playmaking ability by creating two chances, while also displaying defensive prowess with four recoveries and a tackle. Despite having the least touches among outfield players who played the full 90 minutes, his impact was notable. Over the season, Lopez's stats reflect his attacking mindset, with 91 touches in the opposition box and a commendable 22 instances of winning back possession in the defensive third, placing him among the top performers in the league in these areas.

MAY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Assists on only goal in win Lopez assisted once to go with one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Monday's 1-0 win versus Osasuna.

Impact Lopez registered his sixth assist of the season and his first in six outings since returning from a two-game absence. He also accounted for a fourth chance created in his last four appearances and registered two tackles won for the second time in that span. Additionally, Lopez nabbed his fifth interception in the last four games.

APRIL 17 • ROTOWIRE

Middling display in stalemate Diego Lopez recorded two shots (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Mallorca.

Impact Lopez played 73 minutes in this one despite coming off of the bench and he responded by extended his streak of taking multiple shots to three games. He wasn't able to do much to influence the game, however, and he remains a rotational squad player for Valencia.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Finds spot on bench Lopez (face) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Real Madrid.

Impact Lopez is back on the team sheet, making his return to play following a two-match absence due to a face injury. The forward is most likely being preserved as he lines up on the bench Saturday, with the player still being forced to wear a mask and the club not wanting to risk any extra blows he may take to the region of his issues. However, he will attempt to break the starting XI in their next contest, as he has now only missed the start four times when he has been available.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Saturday Lopez (face) has been training with a mask on and is ready for Saturday's clash with Real Madrid, confirmed manager Ruben Baraja. "He is ready, he is ready. He really feels good."

Impact Lopez has adjusted to wearing a facial mask after undergoing minor surgery for a face fracture. This means that he will return to his right midfield spot, having started his previous four games, scoring once with three assists in that span.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Trains Tuesday Lopez (face) was pictured taking place in training Tuesday ahead of Saturday's match against Granada.

Impact Lopez has now missed the club's past two contests but seems to be on the road to a return, having trained on grass with a ball Tuesday. This is great news for the team, as they are close to gaining a starter back, with him only missing out on three starts he has been available for. They will now hope for his return to the starting XI on Saturday, but he may only be limited to the bench, as the attacker is still wearing a mask while training, avoiding any contact to his face at the moment.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Lopez (face) is out for Saturday's match against Sevilla.

Impact Lopez is once again missing out on the team sheet, having yet to recover from his face injury for a second straight match. However, we may see the forward return next week, as it was reported he was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, which earned him the game-time decision tag this week. When he does return, he will hope to find the starting XI immediately, as he has started in all but three matches when available this season.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Progressing ahead of schedule Lopez (face) is recovering faster than expected and could be in contention for a callup ahead of Saturday's match against Sevilla, per manager Ruben Baraja. "Diego is doing quite w...

Impact Lopez had missed the last match with face surgery after suffering a facial injury in the clash with Almeria. He had previously started four of the last five games played, totaling a goal and three assists in that span. Fran Perez will continue in Lopez' absence.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes surgery Lopez (face) underwent surgery due to a facial fracture, Valencia announced.

Impact Lopez will likely end up on the sideline for two weeks at least while recovering from the facial fracture. The forward was replaced by Fran Perez, who should be in line for more minutes in the starting XI in the coming matches.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers facial fracture Lopez was taken off in the 61st minute of Saturday's contest against Almeria, having gone down with a fracture within his face due to facial trauma after receiving a cross to the h...

Impact Lopez will be sidelined for multiple weeks, as he will now have to deal with a facial fracture. The club will not be happy with the player's loss, as he has started in all but three matches this season. With an injury like this, his recovery time will be solely based on how the player feels after a couple of weeks of recovery, so it is hard to put an exact date on a return. He was replaced by Fran Perez, who will most likely continue in a starting role while Lopez is out.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

One goal, two assists Lopez scored one goal and assisted twice from two shots and two chances created in Sunday's 4-1 victory over Cadiz.

Impact Lopez began Valencia's scoring frenzy by logging the assist to a goal from Hugo Duro. The former scored one himself for Valencia's second and game-winning goal. In the final minutes of the Cadiz game, Lopez iced it for Valencia by logging an assist to Valencia's third goal, scored by Javi Guerra. Lopez's form is arguably at an all-time, as he has averaged an assist across his last four appearances.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in win Diego Lopez assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal), three crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Tuesday's 1-0 win versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Pepelu notched his second assist of the season as he set up Sergi Canos in the 61st minute to help open up the scoring. Additionally, the midfielder delivered three crosses; however, only one of those was accurate.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in draw Diego Lopez assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), three crosses (one accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Barcelona.

Impact Lopez notched his first assist of the season as he set up Hugo Guillamon in the 70th minute to help equalize the contest. He's been a versatile player this season, starting in different spots frequently, in this instance he played as a left midfielder.

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Maintains spot as attacker Lopez has started in all but two of the club's matches this season, notching two goals on 16 shots (seven on target).

Impact Lopez has maintained a starting role throughout the 2023/24 season so far, lining up in four different positions as he earned his ten starts. He has played as a utility player in the attack so far, notching starts as an attacking midfielder, forward and on both flanks of the midfield, registering a decent 16 shots (seven on target), 17 chances created, 18 crosses (two accurate) and 19 tackles (12 won) to go along with his two goals. He is already on track to top his four-goal contributions from the last campaign and will hope to get back on the scoresheet soon, as the last time he did that was on Oct. 7 against Mallorca.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in road draw Diego Lopez scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Mallorca.

Impact Diego Lopez scored just before halftime to help Valencia secure one point on the road. The midfielder had a quiet outing other than that. He now has two goals in the season, but has yet to play the full 90 minutes after nine appearances (seven starts).

OCTOBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bags first goal of season Diego Lopez scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-2 draw versus Almeria. He was injured and subbed out in the 97th minute.

Impact Lopez tallied a season-high 89 minutes on the pitch and produced an efficient performance by scoring with his only shot of the game, although he was subbed off of the pitch with a knock. He also has at least one shot on goal through his last three appearances.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting in friendly Lopez (undisclosed) was named to the starting XI for Tuesday's friendly versus Nottingham Forest.

Impact Lopez appeared in just 10 matches for Valencia last season, including starting the last five contests of the season in which he racked up three goals on nine shots (seven on target), one assist and seven crosses (three accurate). If he can maintain his place in the starting XI this season, Lopez should offer top-end fantasy upside given his goal-scoring acumen.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores equalizer at Betis Diego Lopez was subbed off due to injury in the 78th minute of Sunday's 1-1 draw against Betis. He scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and...

Impact Diego Lopez scored in the 71st minute to help Valencia earn one point on the road and avoid relegation. The forward subbed off with an undisclosed injury seven minutes later, though. He finished the season with three goals and one assist in 10 appearances (five starts).

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores against Espanyol Lopez scored a goal off two shotos (one on target) and created three chances during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Espanyol.

Impact Lopez started for the fourth consecutive match and once again made most of his playing time, being at the right place to open the scoring for Valencia after an error from the opposing goalkeeper in the 38th minute. This was the second goal over the last three matches for the youngster, who's giving Valencia a lot of hope with his play during the final stretch of the campaign.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores winner versus Real Madrid Diego Lopez scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 1-0 win against Real Madrid.

Impact Lopez scored his first goal of the season Sunday, an unassisted strike in the 33rd minute which turned out to be the winning goal versus Real Madrid. It was one of three shots (two on target) he took in the match, to go with one inaccurate cross and two interceptions in his 58 minutes of action.

MAY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist against Celta Lopez made an assist, had two shots on goal and created two chances during Sunday's 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.

Impact Lopez made his first career La Liga start and needed just eight minutes to make a huge contribution, setting up Justin Kluivert for the opening goal of the match with a beautiful pass from the right flank. With this performance, the youngster proved to be not only a great piece for Valencia's future but also an immediate help on their fight against relegation.

MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE