When Bayer Leverkusen’s starting line-up for Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Augsburg was announced, Alex Grimaldo was a surprising omission.
The Spanish left-back was completely left out of the squad for Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 defeat and head coach Kaspar Hulmand later explained why.
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“He came back with a little problem after the last international break,” Houmand said.
Despite this, Grimaldo played in the next games against Wolfsburg, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund (twice).
“He is not injured. We pushed Grimaldo very hard so that he could play but he took a hit. We tried in training but it was impossible for him to play,” said Houmand, who hopes Grimaldo will be available for the upcoming Champions League match against Newcastle United.
“We hope he will be available against Newcastle on Wednesday, but we don’t know yet. But we have hope – and certainly against Cologne on Saturday.”
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Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes also weighed in on the Spaniard’s fitness.
“We hope he will be able to play on Wednesday,” he said, adding that Grimaldo’s need for rest had become increasingly apparent “in recent games”.
“We said he really shouldn’t have played that many games, but he did. That’s why the game couldn’t continue. We just have to make sure he continues to play.”