Spain’s Koke Suffers Thigh Injury Ahead of World Cup

Football - LaLiga - Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - October 15, 2022 Atletico Madrid's Koke in action with Athletic Bilbao's Yeray Alvarez. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - October 15, 2022 Atletico Madrid's Koke in action with Athletic Bilbao's Yeray Alvarez. (Reuters)
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Spain’s Koke Suffers Thigh Injury Ahead of World Cup

Football - LaLiga - Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - October 15, 2022 Atletico Madrid's Koke in action with Athletic Bilbao's Yeray Alvarez. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - October 15, 2022 Atletico Madrid's Koke in action with Athletic Bilbao's Yeray Alvarez. (Reuters)

Atletico Madrid said Koke picked up a thigh injury in Saturday's 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao, leaving the Spain midfielder just weeks to recover before the World Cup in Qatar.

Koke had started physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions, Atletico said on Monday without providing a timeline for his return, but reports in Spanish media said he would be out for three weeks.

The 30-year-old, who has 67 caps, was substituted in the 81st minute of Atletico's win.

Spain, who are in Group E at the World Cup with Germany, Costa Rica and Japan, have yet to announce their final squad for the tournament. They begin their group campaign on Nov. 23 against Costa Rica.



Versatile Gonzalez Happy to Play Out of Position at Juventus

Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Napoli - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - September 21, 2024 Juventus' Nicolas Gonzalez reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo
Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Napoli - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - September 21, 2024 Juventus' Nicolas Gonzalez reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo
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Versatile Gonzalez Happy to Play Out of Position at Juventus

Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Napoli - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - September 21, 2024 Juventus' Nicolas Gonzalez reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo
Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Napoli - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - September 21, 2024 Juventus' Nicolas Gonzalez reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo

Nicolas Gonzalez is happy to play out of position for Juventus, the Argentina international said after scoring his second goal within a week in Sunday's 2-1 win at Monza, following a two-month absence due to muscular problems.

Coach Thiago Motta's strategy of playing Gonzalez, usually a winger, behind striker Dusan Vlahovic in the first half paid off as Juventus struck twice before the break to clinch their first win in five Serie A matches.

"To help the team, I can also play as goalkeeper ... I also let the coach know that," Gonzalez told DAZN after netting the winner, Reuters reported.

Motta praised the versatility of Gonzalez and Juve's other goalscorer Weston McKennie, saying it was a pleasure for a coach to work with players with the right attitude.

Juventus, sixth in the table, host fifth-placed Fiorentina next Sunday.