Scottish Premiership champions Celtic will travel to Valencia to take on the La Liga outfit in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 clash.
Celtic’s hopes of pulling off one of the biggest shocks in this season’s Europa League might have been handed a boost on Thursday morning.
According to Super Deporte, three of Valencia’s key players missed training in the build up to the Round of 32 second leg clash at the Mestalla, including a man Celtic tried and failed to sign in the summer.
Los Che are leading 2-0 from the first leg at Parkhead, outclassing the Scottish Premiership champions thanks to goals either side of half time from Denis Cheryshev and Ruben Sobrino. As a result, Brendan Rodgers’ side have a mountain to climb.
But at least Celtic will not have to come up against three of Valencia’s key players. It is understood that right-back Cristiano Piccini will be absent, denying the game an interesting subplot.
As reported by the Mail, Celtic wanted to sign the Italian international before he made the move from Sporting Lisbon to the Mestalla for £7 million.
Star striker Rodrigo Moreno and former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista have also been ruled out, meaning the Hoops should still harbour some hope that a remarkable turnaround can be achieved.
French international midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, who helped Valencia dominate the game in Glasgow, will also be absent after picking up a yellow card last week.
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