Copete’s quiet service, three matches without a booking to ease Corberán’s concerns | OneFootball

Copete has completed Valencia’s last three matches without a booking, easing Carlos Corberán’s pre-match worries during a defence hit by injuries. As reported by AS, the staff have praised his commitment and restraint.

He took his fourth yellow in Vigo, then played the next three while one caution from a ban. That run came with the defence depleted, with injuries to Diakhaby, César Tárrega and Cömert, and Unai Núñez’s signing only finalised last Friday, the centre-back still awaiting his transfer.

The brief in preparation was clear, avoid a booking where possible. As a centre-back that is not always realistic during live play, and his four yellows to date, against Villarreal, Levante, Sevilla and Celta, were all for bringing down an opponent.

He stayed prominent throughout. Against Espanyol he led Valencia for involvement in play with 69 actions, seven more than Ugrinic, and against Getafe and Elche he ranked third for Valencia.

Across those three matches he committed only three fouls, one against Espanyol, two against Elche, and none against Getafe, when Tárrega was injured, Cömert was out of the squad and Pepelu shifted into central defence.

Copete will try to extend the run, for his own sake as much as the team’s, though the wider picture is changing. Corberán now has Unai Núñez in training, with his transfer expected soon, and César Tárrega hopes to be available for Real Madrid or, failing that, Levante.

Source: AS