VALENCIA NEWS

Vinícius scores 2 to earn Madrid draw in return to Valencia since racial abuse. Bellingham gets red

Vinícius Júnior has scored twice to lead Real Madrid back to 2-2 against Valencia in the Spanish league in his first return to Mestalla Stadium where he was racially abused last se...

MARCH 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mouctar Diakhaby - Leaves pitch on stretcher Diakhaby was forced off the field in the 89th minute of Saturday's match against Real Madrid, appearing to have suffered a leg injury.

Impact Diakhaby's season looks like it may be coming to an end, as he suffered what looked to be a very serious injury Saturday after being stretched off the pitch. The injury occurred after a Madrid player came crashing into his leg, falling on it and appearing to have caused a broken leg, broken ankle, or tear within the knee after his leg was trapped under the opposing player's full weight. However, nothing has been confirmed at the moment, with the club just hoping he will be an option again this season, even though that looks like a very far stretch after the gruesome coming together. He was replaced by Cenk Ozkacar, who will most likely stay in a starting role while Diakhaby inevitably misses time due to the injury.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Andre Almeida - On bench in return Almeida (back) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Real Madrid.

Impact Almeida is finally back with the team following his long absence, having been out since early October due to a fracture he received in his back. The midfielder should be expected to line up on the bench over their next couple of contests as the club will not want to aggravate the injury, but he will still hope to have a chance to find the starting XI, as before his issues, he has gotten the start in six of the club's eight matches this campaign.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Diego Lopez Noguerol - 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

Thierry Correia - On bench Saturday Correia (lower leg) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Real Madrid.

Impact Correia is back on the team sheet after his four-match absence, having healed from a lower leg issue. The defender only resides on the bench Saturday but will hope to get a shot in the starting XI in the club's next contest, as he has been a regular starter most of the season, now only missing out on the start in three of the 27 matches he has been available for this campaign.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Diego Lopez Noguerol - 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

Real Madrid star Vinícius visits Valencia for first time since racist attack at Mestalla

Vinícius Júnior will return to play at Valencia on Saturday in Real Madrid’s first visit to Mestalla Stadium since the Black player was racially abused by local fans last season

FEBRUARY 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Valencia and La Liga under the spotlight as Vinicius Jr makes Mestalla return La Liga has been planning for months to minimise trouble for Saturday's game, which could attract Valencia's biggest crowd of the season

FEBRUARY 29 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Soccer games involving Valencia and Levante postponed after deadly fire in eastern Spain

The Spanish league has postponed games involving Valencia and Levante after both clubs requested not to play in the immediate aftermath of a deadly fire in the eastern Spanish city...

FEBRUARY 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diego Lopez Noguerol - 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

Jose Gaya - Sends in ten crosses Gaya delivered 10 crosses (two accurate) and had one shot off target in Saturday's 0-0 stalemate against Sevilla.

Impact Gaya ranked first for crosses, almost double the amount of his nearest challenger, and his exploits resulted in two chances created. The left-back has two assists and one goal this season.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Roman Yaremchuk - Attempts three shots Yaremchuk had three shots (two on target) in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Sevilla.

Impact Yaremchuk wasted the game's best opportunity, trying to take a touch in the six yard box when he should have hit the ball first time. The striker was starting only his sixth game of the campaign but has regularly featured from the bench. He has two goals in his last five appearances.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Canos - Three shots in stalemate Canos attempted three shots (two accurate) and two crosses (none accurate) in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Sevilla.

Impact Canos was starting his first game since recovering from a muscular injury which kept him out for a fortnight. He ranked joint first for shots and wasted one of the games few clear opportunities when he found himself through on goal, seeing his shot well saved by the keeper. The midfielder has just one goal this season.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Giorgi Mamardashvili - Easy clean sheet Mamardashvili made one save on his way to a clean sheet in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Sevilla.

Impact Mamardashvili was largely a spectator with his side dominating the game and he only had to make one routine save. With a third of the season still remaining, the keeper has already levelled his previous best of eight clean sheets in a single campaign. He next comes up against 19th-placed Grenada on Saturday.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Diego Lopez Noguerol - 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

Diego Lopez Noguerol - 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

Andre Almeida - Aiming for return next week Almeida (back) is progressing well and is set for a reevaluation next week ahead of Feb 24 trip tp Granada, according to manager Ruben Baraja. "Almeida is going slowly. The feeling...

Impact Almeida has been out of action since October with a back injury and has finally been given a timeline of about a week to return. He will continue to train and as long as he doesn't experience any setbacks, the midfielder could be an option on Feb 24, sitting him out for the weekend clash against Sevilla.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Pepelu - Plays full game against Las Palmas Pepelu had two shots (zero on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Las Palmas.

Impact Pepelu displayed an active and effective performance in the midfield, particularly in the first half-hour. He showcased offensive skills by completing a dribble and contributed defensively with six tackles, one clearance, and one interception. Having played every game this season, Pepelu has notched four goals and an assist. Additionally, he maintains a consistent defensive record, averaging over two tackles and one interception per game. In 2024, he has been involved in three goals across five league games.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Cenk Ozkacar - Plays full game in defeat against Las Palmas Ozkacar had one tackle (one won) and seven clearances in Saturday's 2-0 defeat versus Las Palmas.

Impact Ozkacar was notable for recording the highest number of clearances in the game. However, he faced challenges in contributing to the team's build-up play. In his 11 appearances this season, he has yet to make a significant impact both offensively and defensively but has already made an error leading to a goal.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Canos - Comes off the bench against Las Palmas Canos registered one shot (zero on goal) and two crosses (one accurate) in Saturday's 2-0 loss against Las Palmas.

Impact Canos came on as a substitute for Fran Perez in the 74th minute but faced difficulties impacting the game as Las Palmas' midfield and defense closed the door on him. In 15 appearances this season, with eight coming off the bench, he has contributed with a goal and an assist.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Canos - Finds bench against Las Palmas Canos (undisclosed) is on the bench for Saturday's contest against Las Palmas.

Impact Canos is back on the team sheet for the first time in two contests, having healed enough from an undisclosed issue to get a role on the bench. The midfielder will now hope to find the starting XI in the club's next contest against Sevilla next Saturday, as he started four matches in a row before going down injured despite mainly serving in a rotational role this season.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Canos - Available again Canos (undisclosed) is an option for Saturday's match against Las Palmas, as manager Ruben Baraja told reporters, "Canos will be there. He has recovered well and he is at the point...

Impact Canos will return from a two-match absence Saturday, returning to full fitness after dealing with an undisclosed issue. However, the midfielder will most likely only serve off the bench, as their manager stated he would not be able to play the full match. Still expect the player to get some time off the bench to test high legs, but not getting enough time to make a true impact on the contest. He has mainly served as a rotational player this season, so he will probably remain on the bench moving forward, earning starts here and there.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE