Two defensive doubts for Villarreal before Champions League opener at Dortmund | OneFootball

Villarreal open their Champions League campaign at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, returning to Europe’s top competition with confidence shaken by a poor league start and potential defensive absences.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Argentina defender Juan Foyth is ruled out and Carlos Romero is a serious doubt, leaving Íñigo Pérez to weigh up his options. Both are important to the coach.

Pérez’s side are winless after the first four La Liga fixtures, with two draws and two defeats. The Champions League is being treated as a chance to reset and recover rhythm.

The test is stern, with the opener at Signal Iduna Park against a Dortmund they faced last season, a meeting that ended in defeat.

After their last league match, Pérez was openly self-critical, arguing that improvement is needed beyond isolated mistakes. He believes Villarreal must control games better and apply his game idea with greater consistency.

Foyth has been carrying a muscular issue since the game in Vitoria, which already kept him out against Dépor. Romero also missed that squad due to unspecified discomfort. If they do not make it, Cardona and Pau Navarro could be the alternatives.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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