Excitement Builds for Upcoming Sevilla vs. Betis Derby

The highly anticipated derby is just around the corner. In a little over 72 hours, Sevilla will face Betis in the season’s first clash at the Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium. Juanlu Sánchez, a youth academy product, spoke with Radio MARCA Sevilla, stating that there is no clear favorite for this Sunday’s match. “I often say this: in derbies, there are no favorites. They don’t adhere to team dynamics, stadium atmospheres, or the current form of either side. The outcome is often determined by small details, and we must be at our best to secure the three points.”

Sánchez encouraged everyone to attend the open training session scheduled for this Saturday. “It’s a dream come true, as I used to go to the stadium for open training sessions as a child. Experiencing it now as a player is incredibly motivating. We owe it to the fans who support us.”

Regarding injured players, he acknowledged, “Of course, we wanted to utilize those currently sidelined, but we understand their absence. This gives us additional motivation to win for them; they deserve it too. I believe we have a fantastic group ready to tackle the match.”

Discussing the importance of details in the game, Sánchez stressed, “It’s clear that if you want to win, be it a derby or any match in La Liga, details are crucial—not just in attack but in defense as well. The fewer mistakes you make, the closer you are to winning.”

Reflecting on their last defeat, he mentioned, “Everyone felt we were superior to the opponent. However, the key is to be strong in crucial moments. We need to improve in that area, as our best performances often come when we keep a clean sheet.”

He acknowledged the team’s occasional lapses, stating, “We have been making some individual errors, and at times collective ones too. It’s normal to focus on correcting any mistakes during matches. Matías does a phenomenal job analyzing our errors through video sessions, and we aim to improve every day.”

On team confidence, he noted, “We have shown resilience. Recently, we found ourselves down 2-0 but continued to fight, eventually narrowing the gap to 2-1. Mistakes are part of football, and we need to manage them effectively.”

When asked about the manager’s experience, Sánchez shared, “He has lived through many derbies and understands the significance of these matches. He conveys how to approach them, and we aim to maintain a normal routine throughout the week.”

On potential lineup changes, he remarked, “We have a deep squad, with several players capable of filling key positions. We are still working through the week, and anything can happen.”

Discussing his role, he said, “The positions are quite similar. Matías encourages full-backs to join the attack, unlike last year when the right-back was less involved. This year, both wing-backs are more offensive, which suits my playing style.”

On Betis, he acknowledged their strong performance, stating, “They are doing well and have a solid squad. However, as I said, in a derby, team dynamics don’t dictate the outcome. We will go all out for the win and aim for the three points.” He added, “Tonight, I plan to catch the Betis match. I’ll decide later whether to watch the Europa League or Betis.”

Regarding Isco, he stated, “Isco is undoubtedly a great player, but we focus on our game plan rather than individualities. Our goal is to execute our strategy effectively and achieve a positive result.”

On the winter transfer market, he commented, “While it’s not our primary focus with a derby ahead, anything can happen in winter, not just regarding me but for any player. Our current objective is to win the derby, and we’ll address other matters later.”

Finally, addressing interest from Napoli, he said, “I recognize I’ve always been a Sevilla player and don’t control my fate. Napoli is a great club, but that’s in the past. Right now, I’m focused on Sevilla and proud to defend the number 16 jersey this Sunday against Betis.”