The Impact of Umar Sadiq’s Arrival on Carlos Corberán’s Tactical Approach

The arrival of Umar Sadiq brings significant questions regarding the playing style of Carlos Corberán. Currently, there is a distinct advantage unless the situation changes drastically—essentially, a complete turnaround. For the Cheste coach, it seems that both the Nigerian forward and Hugo Duro cannot occupy the field simultaneously.

Evidence from the previous season illustrates this point. Since Sadiq first joined the Mestalla club in early January 2025, he was part of the squad until May 23, when the final match of the previous league season was played against Betis. During his time at Valencia, the African forward was with the team for 140 days.

Sadiq’s presence meant that the role of striker was shared with Duro. The two players rarely played together on the pitch. In the four and a half months they were teammates, they only coincided on the field once—totaling a mere 28 minutes during a match against Atlético, which ended in a 0-3 defeat. No further opportunities arose for them to partner together.

As it stands, the two forwards do not fit into Corberán’s tactical framework. They shared the pitch in 16 matches, but injuries to both players disrupted their availability, forcing them to divide the attacking responsibilities.

Their first joint appearance was in a Copa del Rey match against Eldense just over a year ago, where Duro started but was substituted in the 58th minute for Sadiq.

In those 16 matches, Sadiq replaced Duro in encounters against Sevilla, Celta, Leganés, Villarreal, and Alavés. Conversely, Duro came on for Sadiq in matches against Sevilla, Athletic, and Betis. There were instances when neither player was on the field simultaneously due to substitutions.

Furthermore, Sadiq completed a full 90 minutes in two matches (against Osasuna and Valladolid while Duro was injured), whereas Duro managed this feat only once—against Getafe, with Sadiq on the bench.

Hugo Duro has carved out a significant role and maintained his scoring activity for Valencia, despite not being a guaranteed starter under Corberán’s management. He has often had to come off the bench, and while he is currently the team’s top scorer this season with seven goals (six in the league and one in the cup), Sadiq’s presence is likely to reduce his playing time compared to earlier in the competition.

Sadiq brings a fresh dynamic that the coach has long sought, offering another offensive option within the tactical setup. However, it is Duro who has kept the team afloat with his goals thus far. If Corberán continues with his current philosophy, it appears that both players cannot coexist in the starting eleven, setting the stage for a positional battle with its advantages and disadvantages.