Matías Almeyda Reflects on Sevilla’s Victory and Team Performance

Matías Almeyda addressed the media following Sevilla’s match against Athletic Club, part of the twenty-first round of LaLiga EA Sports. The Sevilla side celebrated their first victory of 2026, overcoming an early deficit at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán with goals from Peque and Akor Adams, concluding the match at 2-1. “First and foremost, I want to dedicate this victory to one of our fans. This win is for his family; they should know that this group is praying for them. I had the opportunity to speak with his mother and wish her all the best during this difficult time,” the Argentine coach began, displaying a shirt honoring Fernando Huerta Jiménez, a supporter who tragically passed away in a Rodalies accident.

In his analysis of the match, Almeyda acknowledged the team’s competitive spirit throughout the tournament: “The team has competed well so far; there have been moments of success and others that have not gone as planned. In our last game, we drew with great effort from the players, and today, that effort was evident again. We managed to turn around a situation that hadn’t occurred at this stadium since 2023, reversing a deficit at home. Beyond the result, we are conveying a sense of calm, and this is a step-by-step process in a very even championship, especially considering the many academy players on the field.”

Regarding the fans’ support, he remarked, “For us, their support is crucial. It is that cry for help for many academy players and others who have faced difficult times. In adversity, we need them like this. Today, it was spectacular to see the stadium from any angle. I believe in that unity, and in the end, we will see how it all unfolds, but we need our fans because they are among the best. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, leading to frustrations, but the team is giving their all with maximum effort. It’s about connecting with the fans through commitment and victories.”

On the unity within the team, Almeyda stated, “I have coached in several places, and one of my happiest experiences was in the United States, where we didn’t win but established many values within the group. For me, that’s a form of winning, as we must leave a legacy in football. When I say I am not focused solely on winning, I mean it sincerely. I love to win, but choosing to be a coach stems from other aspirations, which the players understand. I believe in the path of faith, hard work, honesty, dialogue, and humility. If someone trusts you, you will give your best; if they sense a lack of trust, it creates doubt. I strive to show them my trust and correct where necessary. I think we are on that path.”

Discussing the team’s playing style, he said, “I do not appreciate an end-to-end game. If you observe the conclusion of today’s Valencia-Espanyol match, it was back-and-forth and could have gone either way. In fact, we have had more possession than our opponents in most matches. This back-and-forth arises from disorganization and counterattacks, where the opponent outpaces you. Today, we corrected that significantly. Desperation can lead to poor positioning and blocking; sometimes you face an opponent and fail to see them. That is where we need to keep working.”

Almeyda praised the young players, stating, “Their personality shines through; I try to relieve the pressure on them. Isaac, Carmona, Juanlu, Kike, Castrín, and Oso are all giving their best, alongside the more experienced players. They played in a difficult moment, and today they resonated with the fans, who felt connected to them because they played with passion. I appreciate that they defend the club’s crest, and the most beautiful aspect of football is playing with a sense of belonging that money cannot buy. We must approach it calmly, as they will contribute significantly to the club.”

Regarding the substitution of Sow, he noted, “He appeared to have a tendon issue, which left his leg feeling numb. I also value that they are prioritizing the team over individual challenges. I am delighted they earned this victory; these three points are vital, and we must continue to accumulate them.”

On the evolution of several aspects of their gameplay, he remarked, “Yes, there are areas we have corrected while others still require adjustments; that is the essence of this tournament. We have seen some very positive developments, corrections made, and mistakes, especially in the last five minutes of the first half. However, we are competing, and everyone understands how important it was to secure three points today for many reasons.”

Discussing Akor and Isaac, he commented, “They showed tremendous dedication. This was their first match playing together, and we saw depth, aggression, and continuous activity from them. The players interpreted their roles well, and their contributions provide the relief needed during long balls or lateral plays. I am pleased for Isaac, who received affection from the fans, and Akor’s continued goal-scoring brings me even more joy.”

On Gudelj’s substitution, he explained, “He was exhausted and cramping. We needed to strengthen the midfield, and I knew Manu Bueno would bring the energy to run and press. For the other change, we aimed to control the ball and dictate the tempo, but everything happened quickly.”

Regarding Juanlu’s captaincy, he expressed, “He has been playing well; I appreciate his dedication, personality, and enthusiasm. These players belong to the club, and they deserve our support. I was once an academy player at River, and the most rewarding experience was receiving the trust needed to grow, which I aim to extend to them. They will make mistakes; some matches will be ordinary, while others will be exceptional, like today, and they will accumulate experiences until they become the players we know they can be.”

On Oso’s benching, he concluded, “I respect that you believe he was the best player; for me, the team was the best. Oso was dealing with hamstring strains, and we cannot afford to take risks. Additionally, Suazo was performing well when he left the team, so the competition remains intense. Oso knows he must compete with a national team player. It’s a blend of youth and maturity, and I will make mistakes. We may not always agree, but he knew he would enter the game for 40 minutes. I manage game plans, which can work out or require adjustments based on the outcome, but he was informed about his substitution. He is one of our best, and his future is bright.”