Dépor prepare for the break with a friendly, minus four internationals | OneFootball

Antonio Hidalgo plans a reduced workload week before facing FC Penafiel

Deportivo de A Coruña head into the first international break of the 2026/27 season with a carefully measured training plan drawn up by Antonio Hidalgo’s coaching staff. After picking up ten points from the first seven league matches and earning a creditable draw against Real Betis at Riazor, the squad will complete only two training sessions this week at the Ciudad Deportiva de Abegondo — scheduled for Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24 at 10:30 a.m. —. The work block will conclude this Friday, September 25 at 20:00 (Galicia time) with a friendly against Portuguese second-division side FC Penafiel at the Estádio 25 de Abril, a match designed to give minutes to the less regular players and maintain the team’s competitive rhythm during this two-week break.

Preparation at the A Coruña training ground will be affected by the absence of four international players, who have joined up with their national teams. At senior level, José María Giménez has travelled to join up with Uruguay, while Bil Nsongo has been called up by Cameroon. Deportivo’s representation at youth international level is completed by Bright Ede, called up by the Poland under-21 team, and Lucas Noubi, selected by the Belgium under-21 team. These absences will reduce the first-team numbers on the training pitch, giving the coach the chance to work on tightening up the defensive phase and increasing the physical workload for those who have seen less action at the start of the campaign.

At the same time, this break in the official schedule will allow Antonio Hidalgo and his coaching staff to reshape the midfield following the serious collarbone injury suffered by Marc Casadó. Although the midfielder is expected to be back on the ball in around six weeks, the timeline for his return to competitive action will be longer. Casadó’s absence gives a leading role to players such as Diego Villares, of whom his former coach Óscar Gilsanz has once again said that "his secret is that he never stops learning". After the match in Portugal, the squad will enjoy the weekend off before resuming league preparations ahead of a demanding October, highlighted by a visit to the Cívitas Metropolitano to face Atlético de Madrid.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.