Cucho Hernández Faces Brief Setback Due to Muscle Injury

Cucho Hernández has sustained a minor muscle tear in his quadriceps, which will keep him off the field for approximately a month. However, the duration of his absence may be reduced depending on the progress of his recovery. Alongside the disappointing draw against last-placed Oviedo, this injury represents a significant setback for Manuel Pellegrini’s team during their visit to Carlos Tartiere.

The Colombian forward experienced a sharp pain and requested to be substituted after touching his left thigh. He was replaced by Chimy Ávila and left the pitch on his own, but subsequent medical examinations conducted on Sunday confirmed that he will need to rest for several weeks.

Cucho is a crucial player for Pellegrini, having logged 1,854 minutes on the pitch this season, second only to Natan, who has 2,062. He has contributed ten goals and three assists, while receiving only two yellow cards, with his least playing time being against Celta de Vigo (76 minutes).

The schedule is demanding for Real Betis, who are still active in three competitions. Cucho will miss the upcoming match on Wednesday against Elche at La Cartuja in the Copa del Rey round of 16. Additionally, he will be absent when they host Villarreal on Saturday at 21:00, as Villarreal is currently pursuing second place in LaLiga, trailing Real Madrid by just four points.