Valencia without Alves and Ruíz for Basel tie
Monday, March 24, 2014
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Goalkeeper Diego Alves and defender Víctor Ruiz will take no part in Valencia CF's quarter-final against FC Basel 1893 because of injuries sustained on Sunday.
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Valencia CF's plans for their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against FC Basel 1893 have suffered a double setback with news that goalkeeper Diego Alves and defender Víctor Ruiz will miss the tie through injury.
Brazilian international Alves was replaced by Vicente Guaita in the 2-1 weekend victory at home to Villarreal CF after he sustained a right hamstring tear. As a consequence, the 28-year-old former UD Almería and CA Mineiro No1 is expected to be out for five weeks.
Central defender Ruiz, meanwhile, is facing a similar stretch on the sidelines after he pulled up with a left thigh tear shortly before half-time during Sunday's derby win. The ex-Spanish Under-21 international has featured in seven of Valencia's ten UEFA Europa League games this term, with Alves having been involved in one fewer.
Juan Antonio Pizzi's side travel to Basel's St. Jakob-Park for the first leg on 3 April, with the return taking place in Spain a week later.
