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MADRID MIDFIELDER FEDE VALVERDE TO HAVE GROIN INJURY EXAMINED ON THURSDAY

Real Madrid's Fede Valverde is set for tests on a groin injury suffered against Liverpool. The midfielder could be sidelined for weeks, a major blow ahead of a crucial run of five consecutive away games.

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Real Madrid learn extent of Fede Valverde injury after Liverpool - COURTESY/PHOTO

Fede Valverde, a midfielder for Real Madrid, is set to undergo tests to ascertain the severity of the groin injury he sustained during Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Liverpool. Although the team will release an injury report later today, Valverde had to leave the field and appears to have suffered an injury that could keep him out for several weeks.

Since Carvajal is also sidelined due to a knee injury, Trent Alexander-Arnold will be the clear favourite to start at right-back in his place. Real Madrid currently has no contenders for that position, although Alexander-Arnold recently returned and will probably be rusty.

With five straight away games against Rayo Vallecano, Elche, Olympiakos, Girona, and Athletic Bilbao, Los Blancos have a challenging schedule. Even while that opposition is doable, Real Madrid will have a difficult time winning all five away games, especially if Valverde is forced to miss them all.

ERIC GARCIA ADDS TO BARCA INJURY CONCERNS WITH NOSE FRACTURE

Barcelona's defensive crisis deepens as Eric Garcia is ruled out of the Celta Vigo clash with a broken nose. Hansi Flick may have only two fit centre-backs for the trip to Balaidos.

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Eric Garcia's broken nose - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Eric Garcia will miss Sunday's La Liga match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo due to a fractured nose, meaning Hansi Flick will be without another player.

Garcia sustained the injury late in Barcelona's Champions League match against Club Brugge, which ended in a 3–3 draw. After the game, he claimed to have been brought to the hospital because he believed he had broken his nose.

According to reporter Xavi Hernandez Navarro, Flick will probably have to start Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi as his central defenders because Eric will not be able to recover in time for Sunday's game.

Since Andreas Christensen missed the trip to Club Brugge, his fitness is once again in question; thus, it looks like the two players are Barca's only healthy centre halves.

Despite his recent physical problems, Cubarsi was a late substitute in Belgium, taking Eric's place in the closing seconds of the game.

After nine games without a clean sheet, Barcelona is somewhat clouded, and the defence is under intense scrutiny when they travel to Celta on Sunday.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S LISANDRO MARTINEZ DEALT NEW CHALLENGE ON VERGE OF RETURN

Man Utd's Lisandro Martinez is set to return from injury but faces a tough battle to reclaim his starting spot. Luke Shaw's superb form at left centre-back means Martinez must now prove his fitness and form.

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Martinez Dealt New Challenge on Verge of Return - Darren Staples / AFP / AFP / Profimedia

The Manchester United defender might return to the team for this weekend's match against Tottenham Hotspur.

When Manchester United travels to play Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend, they could be fortunate to have a complete roster. Ruben Amorim will cherish this uncommon luxury, but it also gives him a welcome conundrum when it comes to choosing his side.

Although it is difficult to do so, Amorim might theoretically unleash his best lineup over the next weeks. While many of United's "best" team's stances may be clear, there are still two or three that are strongly contested and sure to split opinions.

The position of left centre-back is the closest of all. This month, Lisandro Martinez is anticipated to make his eagerly anticipated comeback from injury; nevertheless, he is facing an unforeseen obstacle as he gets ready to play for the first time since sustaining a catastrophic knee injury against Crystal Palace in February.


Martinez presented an unexpected obstacle.


When Lisandro Martinez joined Manchester United from Ajax in 2022, he immediately made a name for himself as a vital member of the team. With his profile as a left-footed centre-back, he has been essential to maintaining the defence's balance, whether they have used a back three or a back four.

Martinez's ball-playing skills have been highly praised by both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, and despite being a defender, the Argentine is considered one of the United team's top playmakers. Both coaches have encouraged Martinez to be bold with his deep distribution and have looked to him to start attacks as frequently as he finishes them for the opposition.

The 27-year-old is a special player who has been indispensable in the United lineup when you combine his technical skill with his intense perseverance and leadership abilities. In any case, it was the case right up until the season began.

Regarding Martinez's expected return last month, Amorim stated, "It is absolutely crucial." We miss Licha a lot, especially right now; we miss his aggressiveness in all that he does. However, he consistently attends all meetings. He occasionally completes his training and remains to observe the instruction. Licha is essential to this team.

It would be incredibly unjust of Luke Shaw to imply that Martinez will significantly strengthen the starting lineup, even though he will undoubtedly improve the United first team squad. One of their unsung heroes of the season, the 30-year-old has overcome his own injury problems to take the Argentine's spot this season.

Shaw has demonstrated exceptional defensive skills, reads the game well, and has made some crucial blocks at the back. He has also been as good with the ball as Martinez. Many people believed that Shaw had lost this aspect of his game due to his terrible recent injury record, but he has really benefited from the shortened schedule and requirement to play just one game every week.

Amorim would selfishly not mind if Thomas Tuchel disregarded him, but his comeback has been so strong that it would not be shocking if he were called up to the England squad tomorrow. Although Shaw is currently the favourite to lose the job, the United head coach may now have a backup in the vital left centre-back position.

Martinez has the point to prove instead. He will start as a replacement when he rejoins the matchday squad, and it is up to him to respond to fitness-related queries in order to go back into the starting lineup. He may return, although he has not joined the team yet.

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