Villarreal lost their winger NicolásPepe in the last minute before the LaLiga match against Real Madrid at the SantiagoBernabéu, as the player has undergone scheduled eye surgery. The information came from the club, which confirmed that Pepe will not be able to participate in tonight's match due to the intervention on his eye.
Pepe, 27 years old and originally from Nigeria, has been a key piece in Villarreal's forward line in recent seasons. His absence adds to that of TajónBuchanan, the Canadian winger who returned injured after being called up to his national team during the league break. With both players out of the game, Villarreal is forced to rethink its offensive lineup for the match with Real Madrid.
The Castellón club has not revealed details about the exact nature of the eye injury or the estimated recovery time. However, the decision to undergo surgery indicates that the condition is serious and requires specialized care. Villarreal's coaches and medical staff are working on a rehabilitation plan so that Pepe can return to competition as soon as possible.
Real Madrid, for its part, is preparing to face a Villarreal without one of its main attackers. The visiting team will have to adjust their attacking strategy and rely on the depth of their squad to compensate for the absence of Pepe and Buchanan. The match promises to be an interesting duel, with Real Madrid looking to consolidate their position in the table and Villarreal trying to maintain their competitiveness in the league.
As for next steps, Villarreal will continue to monitor Pepe's progress during the recovery phase. The club will communicate any updates on his availability and possible return to football date. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will continue its usual preparation for the confrontation, hoping to take advantage of the absence of the two Basque wingers.