Valencia return to training with absences and focus on Real Sociedad

Valencia returned to training this Thursday at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna after Tuesday’s 0-1 win at Mendizorroza against Alavés. As Mundo Deportivo reported, the session was defined by four absences: Luis Rioja, Guido Rodríguez, José Luis Gayà, and Arnaut Danjuma.

Óscar Sánchez’s preparations

According to Mundo Deportivo, interim coach Óscar Sánchez started planning the next league match with the focus already on Sunday’s clash with Real Sociedad. The same report adds that sporting director Braulio Vázquez was present for part of the session as he continues searching for the replacement for Carlos Corberán following his dismissal.

The four missing players

Luis Rioja was one of the main names out of the group. Mundo Deportivo says the Sevillian winger, who came back against Alavés and scored the winning goal, left the pitch shortly after due to the pain in his foot and did not train with the team, meaning he will miss the game vs Real Sociedad.

The other absences came from physical issues and workload management: Guido Rodríguez sat out after a stomp on a toe during the Mendizorroza match, while José Luis Gayà and Arnaut Danjuma were kept away as part of a workload management plan, per club sources.

Doubts for Sunday

With these issues, Valencia head into the Real Sociedad match with several fitness questions for Óscar Sánchez to solve as he prepares his second game in charge.