Pepelu pressed into centre-back duty as Valencia head to Son Moix | OneFootball

Valencia will deploy Pepelu alongside César Tárrega at centre-back in Son Moix this afternoon, with injuries stripping the defence to its bare bones.

As reported by AS, Carlos Corberán travels with Tárrega as his only senior centre-back, plus academy pair Fontanet and Rubo Iranzo. Cömert and Unai Núñez have stayed in Valencia to recover from injuries.

The player from Denia has featured for only 16 minutes across the last seven matchdays, and will step into a role that is not his. Under Corberán he has played centre-back only twice, never from the start.

At Getafe’s Coliseum he dropped in after 30 minutes when Tárrega went off injured, and Valencia won without conceding.

He also filled in at the Martínez Valero last weekend after Cömert took a knock and was forced off. Valencia lost that game, although Elche’s goal arrived while he was still on the bench.

Mallorca’s attack poses a tough test, with Muriqui the standout threat. Valencia’s back line will need full focus to leave the island with something positive.

Source: AS