Gulacsi misses Champions League game at Villarreal after armed attack

The former RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi will not be in goal for FC Villarreal on Tuesday evening, because he was the victim of an armed robbery in the early morning hours. The incident took place at his family's home in Spain, where he has been under contract with the La Liga club until 2028 since the summer of 2023. Despite the lack of injuries, he must miss the Champions League duel against the Italian SSC Napoli at short notice.

Background to the Transfer and Champions League Participation

Gulacsi, who made 362 Bundesliga appearances during his time at RB Leipzig and was repeatedly counted among the league's best goalkeepers, moved last summer after eleven years in Leipzig to FC Villarreal. He was slated to be between the posts for the Spanish top‑flight club in today's Champions League match between Villarreal and Napoli.

On the first matchday of the elite competition, Gulacsi already had to intervene three times when Villarreal suffered a narrow 2‑3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Those performances showed that, despite his extensive Bundesliga experience, he continues to play an important role in European competition.

Details of the Attack and Its Consequences

As the club announced, perpetrators broke into the family's residence in the early morning hours, threatened the relatives and left the house without injuring anyone. Authorities confirmed that no one was physically harmed, but the psychological strain on Gulacsi and his family is considerable.

The incident occurred in a region where, according to the club, similar attacks have already taken place on several occasions. The repeated incidents cast a disturbing light on the safety of athletes and their families abroad.

Whether Gulacsi can be back in goal for the upcoming weekend's home match against FC Elche remains unclear. The club emphasizes that the early morning hours have left lasting impressions and that the decision on his return depends on his health condition and mental state.

The Champions League anthem sounded again on Tuesday evening, but for the former Bundesliga star the match will pass by without impact today – not for sporting reasons, but because of the frightening attack that prevents his participation.