Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes revealed why he made a change to his lineup just minutes before their Easter Monday game.
The West London club were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Swansea City at Loftus Road, with Karamoko Dembele unable to spearhead a comeback. However, their chances in the game were not helped when Jonathan Varane, originally in the starting lineup, was removed before the start of the game.
Cifuentes Confirms Blow
Speaking to West London Sport following the result, the Spanish manager confirmed that Varane pulled up during the warmup, continuing a bad streak in losing players to injury.
“Today in the warm-up Jonathan something feels something muscular. What else? What else?!
“Generally in life I don’t believe in luck or bad luck. Obviously there is nothing you can do about Sam Field getting a tackle – that’s part of the game.
“Perhaps we need to review other areas. Definitely I think we are going to do that internally.
“It’s the first time in my career I’ve experienced something like this (so many injuries) and definitely, as in all areas, we need to improve.”
With Rangers confirmed to remain in the Championship for next season, their last two games against an already promoted Burnley and Sunderland are dead rubbers.
Writer’s View
Yet another injury blow for Queens Park Rangers is characteristic of how this season failed to live up to expectations. After beating the drop in the previous campaign, Cifuentes and his side would have expected to push on and become outside challengers for the playoffs but consistent injuries stifled any chances they had at breaking the top half of the table. The summer will be another chance to reflect and regroup to push on and finally live up to those expectations placed upon them. Whilst a top six finish may be beyond them at this stage, The R’s will want to build a solid foundation to become a force in the second tier within the near future.
