Villarreal goalkeeper Gulacsi misses Champions League match after armed robbery

Villarreal goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi was unable to play in the Champions League match against Napoli on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, following an armed robbery at his residence. The Hungarian goalkeeper was at home with his wife and two young children when the incident occurred. According to the club, Gulacsi was in a state of shock that prevented him from competing in the match at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

The Incident in Valencia

The robbery took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the residential area of Monasterios, in Puçol, within the province of Valencia. Villarreal confirmed the news, stating that the player was present with his family during the armed intrusion. No family members were injured during the event, but the psychological impact was severe enough to sideline the goalkeeper for the European fixture.

Authorities were notified immediately and have launched an investigation to reconstruct the events. As of the latest reports, no further details have been released regarding the identity of the perpetrators or the specific items stolen from the home.

Match Impact and Replacement

Due to the trauma experienced by Gulacsi, Villarreal head coach Inigo Perez opted to start Brazilian goalkeeper Luiz Júnior in his place. The match, part of the second day of the 2026/2027 Champions League, saw Villarreal take an early lead. Napoli had initially scored through Rrahmani in the sixth minute, but Villarreal responded with two goals in three minutes, including a strike from Mourino and an equalizer by Mikautadze, who capitalized on a defensive error by Napoli's Politano.

The absence of the first-choice goalkeeper was a significant factor for Villarreal, who entered the match with zero points after a 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the first round. Napoli also started the match with zero points following a home defeat to Arsenal.

Context of Robberies in Spanish Football

This incident is not isolated within the context of Spanish football. In recent years, several players currently or formerly playing in Spain have been victims of burglaries or attempted robberies at their homes. For instance, in February 2024, then-Villarreal midfielder Étienne Capoue was the target of an attempted burglary while having dinner with his family. Similar episodes have also affected other players, including some former Valencia footballers.

The focus for Gulacsi and his family remains on recovering from the shock of the night. The investigation by local authorities continues as the club and the player navigate the aftermath of the crime.

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Sources

• gazzetta.it: Villarreal-Napoli LIVE | Risultato e gol in diretta | Champions | Gazzetta.it
• ilfattoquotidiano.it: Gulacsi rapinato in casa con la famiglia prima del Napol out in Champions

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.