MADRID, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Valencia's problems deepened on Sunday as a 5-0 home defeat to FC Barcelona left Carlos Corberan's side bottom of La Liga and defender Mouctar Diakhaby sidelined with another injury.
Valencia has taken just one point from its opening four league matches, and the heavy defeat at the Mestalla was compounded by the loss of Diakhaby in the second half.
The central defender was forced off in the 61st minute and replaced by Iker Cordoba. Tests on Monday confirmed that Diakhaby had suffered a groin injury that is expected to keep him out until at least mid-October.
The 29-year-old has started all four of Valencia's league matches this season and is a key figure in Corberan's defense when fit.
Diakhaby has endured a difficult run of injuries in recent years, including a knee problem that sidelined him for 11 months and a torn hamstring tendon that kept him out for the second half of last season. ■
