The incident occurred at the start of the second half, after the Jerez-born midfielder had been a standout performer in the first half of the game. Juanpe's departure, as one of Funes's key players, cast a shadow over the euphoria of the 2-0 victory at La Rosaleda.
The player, who had previously shown his dedication in Riazor and was aiming to regain his best form after earlier physical setbacks, felt the muscle strain in the 47th minute. The Málaga CF coaching staff is awaiting medical tests to determine the exact extent of the injury and hopes it is nothing serious.
“"I cannot venture to say anything, but he felt a strong pinch. Just before, he had been tackled, stumbled, and got hurt. It's a shame. Hopefully, it's as minor as possible, and we wish him a speedy recovery."
Funes also highlighted the team's strength, noting that the squad's depth allows them to cope with absences. “One player falls due to injury, and others appear. What we achieve is because we are together,” the coach stated, emphasizing the collective commitment.
Juanpe's injury brings back memories of a similar episode in early November when he had to withdraw due to muscle problems in a match against Córdoba CF. Despite this setback, the team celebrates the return of Ramón, who is recovering from a long-term injury and is gradually rejoining the squad.
