Villarreal’s injury crisis was one of the sub-plots before they faced Rangers in September. Now, it’s back on the agenda once more.
Rangers have been given a real boost as the La Liga side’s star-man, Carlos Bacca, will almost certainly miss the trip to Ibrox next month.
The Gers are set to meet Villarreal in Glasgow on November 29th, which will be the crucial match-day five of the group stages. Bacca was such a tormentor of Steven Gerrard’s men, scoring in Spain and causing all sorts of problems on match-day one. How he never scored more than one at El Madrigal is anyone’s guess.
Rangers, however, will just be delighted that he’s likely missing the contest. The striker has been ruled out for between four-six weeks, having lasted just 12 minutes against Atletico Madrid before limping off.
There is an extremely slight chance he makes the bench for the clash, but it’s highly unlikely. Despite being their star-man, Bacca has only scored four goals in 14 appearances this season. Two of those, however, came with his national side. Therefore, Bacca has scored just two goals this season. He remains a huge threat regardless, and is the focal point of the Yellow Submarine’s attacks.
A growing injury list
He joins the likes of Bruno Soriano, Javi Fuego, and Victor Ruizare on the sidelines. Manuel Iturra hasn’t been registered for their Europa League squad. The Spanish side also sit in third position in the group having drawn both of their opening matches in the group stage.
The injury is apparently a thigh muscle tear, meaning that Villarreal are unlikely to rush him back. If they do, then it’s highly likely he won’t be playing to the same standard you would expect from him.
It’s quite incredible when you think of the fortune Rangers have had in opposition set-backs from their Europa League group. Both Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow have sacked their managers respectively. Meanwhile, Villarreal continues to deal with constant injury concerns.
Steven Gerrard hasn’t had his own problems to seek in the injury front either, however. A plethora of first-team stars have been sidelined or suspended at different stages of the season, but it’s fair to say those concerns are now healing.
Rangers host Spartak Moscow on match-day three, whilst Villarreal host Rapid Vienna.
