Élian Benitez will not be available for Vichy in their upcoming match against Évreux this Friday. The Catalan guard has been experiencing knee pain since the start of the team's training, which has led to medical evaluations and the possibility of surgery. This could result in a longer absence from the team. Although he won't be playing, Benitez will attend the game in civilian clothes to support his teammates. Benitez previously faced a long absence last season after sustaining a fracture on the first day of the championship in mid-September 2025. He remained sidelined until February 2026, undergoing a prolonged rehabilitation process before returning to play in the final 17 matches of the season. During that time, he contributed 6 points, shooting at a 37% rate and averaging 2.5 decisive assists. In the first two official matches of the 2026/27 season—played in the Coupe de France and ÉLITE 2—Benitez managed to score 2 points and record 1 decisive assist. His performance has been closely watched by fans and analysts, who are eager to see how he will fare this season after his previous injury. The team will need to adjust their strategy in his absence, as his contributions have been significant in past games.