Real Madrid's Reguilón played in Plzen despite sleepless night
AS has learned that Sergio Reguilón, who put in a fine display in the win over Viktoria Plzen, hardly got a wink of sleep the night before.
Sergio Reguilón was once again one of the stand-out performers for Santi Solari's Real Madrid as Los Blancos thumped Viktoria Plzen 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday. The full-back put in a hugely assured display at the Doosan Arena, delivering quality balls into the box that were like manna from heaven to Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, and running himself into the ground in defence of a left flank that brought very little joy for the Czechs.
Sleepless night caused by vomiting, diarrhoea
However, what few will have been aware of was that the 21-year-old youth product was only playing because his pride and commitment kept him from missing the match and staying behind at the team hotel - something which, under the circumstances, would have been absolutely understandable. That's because, as AS has learned, he hardly got a wink of sleep the night before the game after being struck down by a bout of vomiting and diarrhoea.
The following morning, club doctors gave Reguilón medication to alleviate the stomach problems, which had a significant debilitating effect on him in the build-up to the match. Yet despite being left feeling well short of 100%, the defender, who has developed a close bond with Solari - having worked with the Argentine for Castilla - spoke to Madrid's caretaker coach and told him he was ready to play.
Reguilón runs despite runs...
And you all saw the way he responded to the challenge. He covered more ground than all but three other Madrid players, running a total distance of 11,179 metres that was only beaten by Lucas Vázquez (12,502), Álvaro Odriozola (12,447) and Dani Ceballos (12,370). With Marcelo likely to miss another two weeks with the muscle injury he picked up in the Clásico defeat to Barcelona, Reguilón is expected to retain his place in the line-up for Sunday's LaLiga trip to face Celta Vigo.
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