Málaga CF face a week with three matches while dealing with two significant injury blows to their squad. New signings Aznou and Cajuste will miss the upcoming game against Villarreal through injury, though their recoveries are expected to be swift.
Injuries for the new arrivals
Left-back Aznou, on loan from Everton, is suffering from a left adductor overload and has yet to make his official debut for the club. Manager Juanfran Funes stated that "it is not an injury that will keep him out for long, we believe he will be able to participate in one or two weeks". His return could come in time for the match against Getafe.
Meanwhile, midfielder Cajuste, who had already played a few minutes against Levante, has a left quadriceps injury. The medical report estimates he will also be sidelined for one to two weeks, ruling him out of the immediate squad.
Recoveries and rotation
The situation forces Juanfran Funes to manage carefully a squad with other players in recovery, such as Murillo, Ochoa and Lobete. The positive news comes with forward Adrián Niño, who after weeks of inactivity has returned to training with the group. "Adri is simply going through a recovery process." confirmed the coach.
With three games in eight days, rotation will be key. The team is looking to break a run of five matches without a win, registering three draws and two defeats in their last five outings. The most recent result was a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo, with Adrián Niño scoring in the 83rd minute.
The next La Liga fixture is at home to Athletic Club, but first Málaga must handle the Villarreal challenge without two of their summer reinforcements. Planning for the immediate matches will depend on the progress of these players and the ability of the rest of the squad to provide defensive solidity and creativity in midfield.
Background and full detail: Sport.es
