Reflections on a Challenging Match: Juanlu Sánchez’s Experience

omidbasir- Juanlu Sánchez was sent off by referee Iosu Galach during Sevilla’s match against Alavés last Saturday. The young player received two yellow cards within 16 minutes, leaving his team at a numerical disadvantage for nearly the entire match. Additionally, Joan Jordán and Matías Almeyda were also expelled, facing suspensions of two and seven matches respectively.

In reflecting on his experience, Sánchez stated, “The first day is quite sleepless as you replay the situation in your mind. However, my surroundings know how to separate football from home life, which helps a lot. It hurts to leave the team at a disadvantage, but these are circumstances that can happen, and it will serve as a learning experience for me. There was an excess of motivation, and when I was informed that the VAR was reviewing the situation, I could already imagine the outcome. Everything is a learning curve; the coach was the first to calm me down, which speaks volumes given all he has experienced.”

He further added, “When you have a yellow card, you need to be more cautious. In the second instance, I didn’t intend to step on him, but ultimately, I did. I must use my head more and manage the timing of the game better.”

Regarding Almeyda, he remarked, “I have watched the situation with the coach multiple times and still don’t understand why he was sent off. The referees make mistakes, and we have been unlucky in recent matches, but there’s someone responsible for the sanctions, and we seem to miss those. Matías is an excellent coach and a wonderful person who understands players perfectly. We are fully behind him, and he knows that.”

On team unity, he expressed, “I have experienced different locker rooms, but the bond we have this year is unlike any we’ve had in the past. We are a young group, and the veterans contribute significantly, especially the coach, who emphasizes the importance of unity. We are like a family.”

Feeling grateful to be part of Sevilla, he concluded, “I am living a dream. I am aware of what reaching 100 matches means, and it is a source of pride. Sevilla is my home; these have been the happiest years of my life. We owe a lot to Sevilla, especially the sentiment that has been instilled in us since childhood. In the locker room, one of the examples we always mention is Antonio Puerta, José Antonio Reyes, and, of course, Jesús Navas.”