MADRID, 23 (EUROPA PRESS)
This Sunday (7:30 p.m.) Villarreal will once again be looking for their second LaLiga EA Sports victory in the warmth of their fans against Girona FC, who are looking to put their poor start behind them, on a second matchday in which Valencia CF visits CA Osasuna at El Sadar (5:00 p.m.) and in which Real Sociedad hosts RCD Espanyol (7:30 p.m.).
The Castellón side opened the season with a solid 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, which was further bolstered by the expulsion of Alberto Reina less than half an hour into the match. Marcelino García Toral's side thus cemented their place at the top of the table.
However, that first match at La Cerámica also resulted in an injury to Gerard Moreno, who will remain out at least until after the international break. This circumstance, coupled with the absence of Ayoze Pérez, will force the Asturian coach to rely on Etta Eyong and Nicolas Pépé as his attacking pairing.
In addition, injured Logan Costa and Willy Kambwala will also be out, although the Yellow Submarine's newest signing, Portuguese center back Renato Veiga, will be out. Denis Suárez, wanted by Celta, is doubtful due to muscle discomfort.
Opposite, Girona wants to clean up its image from the first matchday, in which it stumbled at home against Míchel's former team, Rayo Vallecano (1-3), all in a clash marked by the expulsion for a direct red card of Paulo Gazzaniga and the absence of Cristhian Stuani due to the death of his father.
The Uruguayan striker will be available now, unlike Donny van de Beek, Abel Ruiz, and Ricard Calero, who are injured. The latest signing for the Albirroja team, Alex Moreno, who arrives to cover for Miguel Gutiérrez's departure to Napoli, is not yet registered.
OSASUNA AND VALENCIA, GOING FOR THEIR FIRST WIN
At El Sadar, Osasuna and Valencia are looking for their first win of the league season after coming close in the season opener. The Navarrese team debuted at the Santiago Bernabéu, where only Kylian Mbappé managed to overcome their resistance at the start of the second half (1-0).
Abel Bretones's red card in stoppage time will force Alessio Lisci to rework his starting lineup, opting for Víctor Muñoz or Kike Barja, while also not ruling out adding another midfielder. Iker Benito will also be out, struggling with an ankle injury.
The 'che' team, meanwhile, arrives at the match in Pamplona after drawing 1-1 with Real Sociedad, who neutralized Valencia's 1-0 deficit with a goal from Take Kubo just three minutes after Diego López had found the net. Neither Thierry Correia nor Alberto Marí, who are injured, will be in the match, but Dani Raba will be, who has recovered from a hamstring injury.
REAL MADRID WELCOMES A GROWN-UP ESPANYOL
Finally, Real Sociedad, who salvaged a draw at Mestalla last week, host RCD Espanyol at the Reale Arena with their morale soaring after stunning Atlético de Madrid in their league opener.
The San Sebastian team faces its first match of the season at home, where it hopes to strengthen its strength and try to return to the top of the table after a somewhat disappointing season. This Sunday, Sergio Francisco will be able to count on all his players, as Jon Gorrotxategi appears to have recovered from his ankle injury.
Meanwhile, the Perico team is looking to build on their victory the other day at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where they were able to overturn Julián Álvarez's opening goal with goals from Miguel Rubio and Pere Milla. Javier Hernández will be the only absence due to injury among Manolo González's team.
–SUNDAY PROGRAM ON LALIGA EA SPORTS.
CA Osasuna – Valencia CF 17.00.
Real Sociedad – RCD Espanyol 19.30.
Villarreal CF – Girona FC 19.30.
Real Oviedo – Real Madrid 9:30 p.m.
