Nicolás Larcamón (Sporting) backs his squad despite eight absences vs Celta Fortuna

Nicolás Larcamón, Sporting Gijón’s head coach, is trying to calm the storm ahead of the next match against Celta Fortuna: up to eight first-team absences are expected. The Argentine insists the group has depth, saying “we strongly believe in the strength of the squad” and that it’s “an excellent opportunity” to show collective power.

Absences and doubts

Konrad, Iosifov, Ferrari, Guillamón and the suspension of Gelabert are among the confirmed gaps, alongside Otero and Nacho Martín. Larcamón is most concerned about Nacho Martín after explaining that last week he had a problem that kept him from being at “one hundred percent”: “We exhausted every possible option… I even considered infiltrating him and it wasn’t possible.” He expects tests on his meniscus to guide the outlook, but said he is “ruled out for several weeks”.

Loum is back out of the group due to a knee issue under assessment, while Konrad de la Fuente’s knee situation continues after an edema in a cartilage; the club plans an arthroscopy as a conservative recovery measure. Iosifov’s left hamstring-biceps myotendinous injury will keep him out for “about a month”.

Returning players and mindset

Otero has a path back to training with the group and may be in the squad; if not, he would join the full group next week. Sarco returned to training and Larcamón confirmed he “will be in the squad”. With Gaspar back after the derby but missing the next game due to his red card, the coach highlighted the link he showed with César Gelabert.

The plan for El Molinón, Larcamón says, is a “vertical” team with “a lot of one-on-one duels” to reverse the negative performances against Oviedo or Eldense.