Villarreal injury crisis strikes forward options as two internationals ruled out | OneFootball

Villarreal have had a strong start to the 2024-25 season, and after 13 matchdays, they currently occupy a Champions League spot (4th). However, maintaining that over the coming weeks could be difficult, as head coach Marcelino Garcia Toral is massively struggling in the attacking department.

Pre-international break, Ilias Akhomach was ruled out for the remainder of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, and to make matters worse, two more forward have suffered injuries over the past fortnight. As per Diario AS, Ayoze Perez will be out for 2-3 weeks as he is struggling with a minor muscular problem, while Nicolas Pepe is set to be sidelined until January with a hamstring tear.

Villarreal face a tricky schedule in the build-up to the winter break, with the likes of Osasuna, Girona, Athletic Club and Real Betis being in the Yellow Submarines’ next run of fixtures. For the next 2-3 weeks at least, Marcelino will only have Yeremy Pino, Thierno Barry and an unsharp Gerard Moreno at his disposal.