- Yan Couto and Juanpe suffered a clash of heads during a training session
- Both needed hospital treatment and are likely to miss at least one LaLiga match
- Arne Slot needs to be his own manager. Replacing Jurgen Klopp is an impossible job. Don’t try to emulate him – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
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Two Girona stars needed hospital treatment after a nasty clash of heads during a training session.
Brazil international Yan Couto, 21, and Spanish centre-back Juanpe, 32, both suffered injuries with coach Michel saying their situation ‘looks bad’.
He said: ‘Yan Couto and Juanpe had a head-butt between them and right now they are in the hospital. It looks bad.’
However, a later update from Girona, who are on course to qualify for the Champions League after an excellent season in LaLiga, said the pair had been discharged from hospital.
‘Juanpe and Yan Couto have suffered a severe shock in a game action during today’s training have been taken to hospital, from where they have already been discharged,’ a statement read.
Both are likely to miss Saturday’s trip to Las Palmas as they abide by the concussion protocols.
Girona, who are a sister club of Manchester City under the City Football Group banner, are third in LaLiga behind giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
With a 10 point gap between themselves and Athletic Bilbao in fifth, with six rounds to play, Girona are odds-on to make the Champions League for the first time.
Indeed, history has already been made for the Catalan club with last Saturday’s 4-1 win over Cadiz securing European football for the first time ever.
They are now assured of at least a berth in the Europa Conference League – but should get into the Champions League from here. Their previous highest Laliga finish was 10th.
‘We have to keep dreaming. I am very happy for my players for the amazing season they are having,’ said Michel, who helped the team win promotion to the top-flight in 2022.
One snag could well be UEFA’s rules on teams with the same ownership participating in the same European competition, with Man City also on course for the Champions League next season.
Girona are confident they will be allowed to take their place, however, citing precedents of clubs with the same ownership playing together in the same UEFA competition.
Couto, who has made three appearances for Brazil, is on loan from City and has proved a key player in Girona’s Champions League push with two goals and nine assists in 35 matches.
Juanpe has been at Girona since 2016, helping them back into LaLiga two years ago following their relegation to the Segunda Division in 2019.
