Matías Almeyda Addresses Media Ahead of Sevilla vs. Levante Match

On Friday at noon, Matías Almeyda addressed the media in the press room at the Jesús Navas Stadium ahead of the eighteenth matchday of LaLiga EA Sports. Sevilla will kick off the year 2026 by hosting Levante at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Sunday at 14:00. “I wish everyone a happy new year filled with peace, love, wisdom, and, most importantly, health. Some players have returned to training, but we’ve also had two or three absences due to the flu. We will see tomorrow how many players we have available for the match,” began the Argentine coach.

Regarding Gattoni, Almeyda mentioned, “I spoke with him. He is aware of his time at River, especially the last phase where he played very little. He has been training separately. We will gradually work on getting him into shape and see what happens in this transfer market. In the meantime, we will train him and give respect to a professional and a person.”

On Marcao’s suspension, he stated, “What has happened cannot be changed, and it’s not beneficial to keep dwelling on it. He will have to serve his suspension. Obviously, no player enjoys being suspended for such a long time.”

Almeyda also discussed Alfon’s situation, noting, “He was doing well, improving in training. In the last match, he was returning to the level we desire. Unfortunately, during the first ten minutes of yesterday’s practice, he felt discomfort in his soleus muscle. It’s a shame because since his arrival, he has faced issues with his ankle and nose, preventing him from being at 100%. We hope this rehabilitation process is swift and effective.”

On the recent incident at the Bernabéu, he remarked, “What happened is in the past. I no longer want to give it any more significance than it deserves.”

Almeyda mentioned his coaching staff, saying, “I have a capable team by my side. Javi Martínez will be on the sidelines, and we will communicate from wherever necessary.”

Looking ahead to 2026, he expressed, “If one acts with love, they will surely give more. If they have wisdom, they will interpret better and perform better. I first want to thank the players for their effort. The round isn’t over; there are still two matches left, and we are aware of their importance. We must strive to maintain the balance we have worked hard to achieve, grounded in tranquility, serenity, and commitment.”

Regarding Luis Castro’s Levante, he stated, “Thanks to technology, we can analyze where he has managed, the players, their teams, and their styles. Even though he has just arrived, we must remain alert as he may implement changes. However, we also need to focus on ourselves, show them respect, and try to match them.”

When asked about his feelings at Sevilla, Almeyda said, “I believe reiterating topics I have already expressed is somewhat counterproductive because those who know me understand my perspective. False reports do not benefit anyone, but they reflect on those who create them, not me. I have already said what I needed to say about my love for this place.”

Reflecting on his experience in Spanish football, he remarked, “I am very happy; it took me a lot to reach La Liga, and I won’t make it easy to leave. The past six months have been an experience of learning and adapting to a new league, game style, cultural aspects, formations, and tactical analyses of each opponent. I cannot stop here; I must continue striving for more and embrace my passion for living in Sevilla in a different way.”

In discussing team consistency, he noted, “I believe we have found a level of consistency that has varied at times. The change in system has benefited the team by providing more security, and we are gaining better control. We must continue to improve in this aspect and in our finishing. I have seen growth within the squad. Now, we need to accumulate points, strengthen our home performances, and seek that consistency.”

Addressing recurring injuries, he said, “We always analyze past training and adjust our strength loads accordingly. Injuries are not isolated to our team; many players worldwide suffer from recurring injuries in the same areas. We are focused on finding solutions to reduce these occurrences because the coach wants all players available. These issues concern us, but we remain vigilant as they are a normal part of a fast-paced game.”

On Sergio Ramos, Almeyda commented, “I don’t know if the rumors are true or not, but I refrain from getting involved. I respect Sergio as a player and a person; he is a worldwide legend. As for his financial decisions, I am not an economist.”

Regarding playing Akor in a dual striker role, he mentioned, “I follow him in every match to assess his performance and potential. It is possible. In fact, the other day, Alexis and Isaac played together. Changes can be made, as they are forwards.”

Concerning Vargas’s recovery, he stated, “He remains in the recovery process and is improving. His injury was more severe than others. We want to progress at a pace that allows him to train fully fit. Rubén is very important to us, and I hope to have him back soon.”

On Isaac’s health, he updated, “He arrived yesterday with a high fever. Today he had less, but he still has a fever. We will evaluate him tomorrow.”

Regarding the transfer market, Almeyda confirmed, “We have had discussions, and conversations have been ongoing for some time. This matter will be addressed by both Antonio and José María.”

Finally, he reflected on the involvement of players in management, stating, “These are different scenarios. At River, the president is elected by the members, with no investment from the president. Here, it’s different due to shareholding. It’s challenging to provide a concrete opinion.”