PSV captain Mauro Júnior suspended for Champions League opener
The Brazilian will miss PSV’s meeting with Shakhtar, while four injured team-mates are also unavailable for the Eindhoven fixture.
PSV will begin their Champions League campaign against Shakhtar without captain Mauro Júnior. The Brazilian must serve a one-match suspension following his dismissal in PSV’s final game of last season’s competition.
Mauro received a second yellow card in stoppage time during January’s 2-1 home defeat by Bayern Munich. That result brought PSV’s campaign to an end in the league phase. His absence adds to the Eindhoven side’s selection problems, with Dennis Man, Sami Ouaissa, Alassane Pléa and Kiliann Sidillia all currently injured.
Summer signings Lutsharel Geertruida, Filip Kostic and Kodai Sano could make their Champions League debuts for PSV against Shakhtar. The Ukrainian side have no suspended players and travel with an almost complete squad. Central defender Marlon Santos is their only confirmed absentee because of a muscle injury. Arda Turan’s team sit second in the Ukrainian league after four rounds, behind Polissya Zhytomyr.
Feyenoord are also starting a new Champions League campaign, away to Barcelona. The Catalan club will be without Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong as he continues his recovery from injury. Eric Garcia is likewise unavailable, with the Spanish defender serving a one-game suspension.
Reported first by
- PSV mist aanvoerder Mauro Júnior bij start Champions League— VI KNVB Beker
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