Racing Santander coach José Alberto has expressed doubts about the availability of Moroccan international Yassir Zabiri for Sunday's match against Valencia. Zabiri returned to the club feeling tired after the latest international break, along with Pablo García. José Alberto confirmed that both players are experiencing significant fatigue, which may impact their participation in the upcoming fixture.
The coach made the comments at a press conference ahead of the encounter, stating that Zabiri and García will be assessed after the next training session to determine their level of readiness. Their physical condition will help decide whether they can feature in Sunday's fixture and how much playing time they could receive. This assessment is crucial in determining the team's strategy for the match.
The international break has presented challenges for clubs in reintegrating players who have travelled and competed for their national teams. Coaches must evaluate their physical condition before returning them to domestic competition, particularly when fixtures follow shortly after international commitments. In Zabiri's case, José Alberto has not ruled out his participation against Valencia, but the player's condition will be the main factor in deciding his readiness.
The assessment will also determine the situation of Pablo García, who returned to Santander experiencing similar fatigue. Racing's coaching staff will monitor both players before confirming their availability for the weekend fixture. No further details were provided about the severity of Zabiri's fatigue, and the coach did not indicate that the player had sustained an injury.
Zabiri's situation is being treated as a question of physical readiness rather than a confirmed injury concern. The coaching staff will have to balance his readiness with the demands of the upcoming fixture before deciding whether to include him. If he recovers sufficiently, he could be considered for Sunday's encounter; otherwise, his involvement may be limited.
José Alberto's assessment leaves the situation open, with a final decision expected after the team completes its preparations. Racing Santander are scheduled to host Valencia on Sunday in a Spanish league fixture, and the potential availability of Zabiri will be one of the points to monitor ahead of the match. The club will continue to evaluate the condition of its returning international players before the game.
For now, Zabiri's participation remains uncertain, and the outcome of the next training session is expected to provide a clearer picture of his availability. The coaching staff will make a decision based on his physical condition, and the player will have to be ready to meet the demands of the match.
Key points
- Yassir Zabiri's availability for Sunday's match against Valencia is uncertain due to fatigue.
- Racing Santander coach José Alberto will assess Zabiri's condition after the next training session.
- The decision on Zabiri's participation will depend on his physical readiness.
