Valencia sweat on Copete after injury before Real Madrid visit | OneFootball

Valencia face a fresh defensive worry just four days before hosting Real Madrid at Mestalla, with Copete’s availability now uncertain.

According to Superdeporte, the centre-back was forced off in the 57th minute of the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Athletic Club, in clear discomfort and unable to continue.

The Andalusian, from Écija, had been pushing himself for weeks, taking injections and playing through pain to cover a stretched back line. The accumulated effort told at Mestalla, where he asked to be replaced.

His withdrawal shaped the cup tie and raises a serious question over a demanding February, when Valencia’s schedule offers little respite.

The first major test arrives on Sunday 8 February, when Real Madrid come to Mestalla, a fixture that always stirs the home support.

If Copete is absent, Carlos Corberán will need to reshuffle his defence at a stage of the season when errors are costly and every point matters. The setback adds to a season-long run of defensive issues for Valencia.

Source: Superdeporte