Matías Almeyda Prepares Sevilla for Crucial Match Against Deportivo Alavés

omidbasir- Matías Almeyda spoke on Friday afternoon in the press room at the Jesús Navas Stadium, ahead of the twenty-fourth matchday of LaLiga EA Sports. Sevilla will face Deportivo Alavés this Saturday at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, starting at 18:30 hours. “We have high expectations and are eager to implement corrections while studying our opponent. We hope the match unfolds as planned so we can bring joy to ourselves and all Sevilla fans,” began the Argentine coach.

Regarding Francisco’s critique, Almeyda stated, “I accept and respect freedom of expression. He is a club legend, someone who has contributed greatly and is very much loved. I hold him in high regard.”

On Sergio Ramos and the defense, he commented, “I have already expressed my sentiments, and he is aware of the affection and admiration I have for him. If we look at the goals conceded over recent years, the numbers are similar to a past moment. It is true that we have not corrected this issue, and we are working on it. However, when discussing stats, some play in our favor, while others do not.”

Almeyda noted the players’ initiative: “In this case, they have taken the initiative, which creates new expectations. The fans want results; we are all committed and working hard to overcome our current situation. This unity provides strength, energy, and confidence, but we need to translate that into real actions to motivate our supporters, similar to the second half of our last match. I commend this group of players for their evident commitment.”

Discussing Alavés, he remarked, “We are facing a well-performing opponent that competes aggressively, counterattacks effectively, has good players, and an excellent coach. For us, this match is yet another final; we are treating every game as a final, so it will be challenging for everyone.”

Regarding player updates, he stated, “Januzaj is progressing well and is keen to rejoin the group next week. However, he will not participate in this match. Nianzou is included in the squad for the upcoming game.”

On the team’s tactical approach, he mentioned, “I reconsider everything to seek solutions. We have played with five at the back and four, man-to-man, and with a libero. We will continue exploring different setups to ensure we are not too vulnerable at certain points in the match. Research on our opponents has sometimes prompted positional changes, but I believe we will resolve these issues. Keeping a clean sheet is crucial, particularly in tight matches. We’ve pressed high at times and dropped back at others, but there are no guarantees. For instance, against Real Madrid, we didn’t concede a goal from this strategy. Football has many small details that can often have significant impacts.”

Addressing concerns about poor first halves, Almeyda stated, “I prefer not to generalize, as it varies by moment. Recently, we applied pressure but faced a rival with exceptional mobility, making it difficult in the first half. Despite the poor performance, the rival had one key scoring opportunity, which makes it seem worse than it was. There wasn’t a noticeable difference in the areas of play. I must focus on our work and not let the situation overwhelm me. There are times when we perform well and times when we do not. Many aspects are diligently worked on, but only a few endure. Ultimately, results matter, and we need to improve.”

On Maupay’s integration, he noted, “He has played two matches and trained for two weeks; he is progressively acclimating. We’ve adjusted our formation to incorporate two forwards differently. As time passes, he will improve technically and mentally. It is rapid, and he must familiarize himself with the team, which naturally takes time, especially mid-season. I see him in a positive light; he has the potential to become a significant asset.”

Concerning Kike Salas, Almeyda shared, “Kike has been sidelined due to a pubis issue, which kept him out for some time. He is one of those players whose absence is profoundly felt, just like his teammates.”

On Ejuke, he commented, “We have utilized him in various positions, both left and right. He is a decisive player in one-on-one situations, and there is always uncertainty about whether he can play the full 90 minutes or if he should come on in the second half to create an impact, as we saw last time. We acknowledged that our prior strategy was flawed. We are flexible and do not fixate on one approach.”

Regarding players at risk of suspension, he stated, “I trust all our players, and if one is unavailable, another will step in. Most have played significantly less than Jordán, Manu Bueno, Fábio, and Nianzou.”

On the fans, he expressed, “All I can say is that our actions should reflect our daily efforts. We work to bring joy to those who pay for a ticket. We thrive on results, and we genuinely need to find that peace and happiness.”

Reflecting on the president’s words, he said, “I am grateful to those who provide me with opportunities and to the places I’ve been. I hope our results demonstrate that the choice made was the right one.”

On officiating, he remarked, “It is challenging to comment. I prefer not to express opinions; I believe that if I were an official or related to one, I would want messages of calm and understanding directed at them. When we are upset, our emotions run high, and we might express our anger or frustration. We all live football. If we can unite for the common good, which is the game we love, football will evolve positively.”

Concluding with a tribute, he said, “In 1993, a great man, Carlos, coached me here in Sevilla. He is one of the best coaches in football history, having won the World Cup. He was unjustly robbed of a World Cup final in 1990. A winner, a man who could coach beyond technology, driven by passion and love. He set an example for us as players, and being Argentine, he is a hero deserving of our respect and admiration. I am thankful for the experiences I had alongside him.”