Almeyda Bows to Madrid’s Holy Trinity: “They Have the Three Best Players in the World”

Sevilla manager Matías Almeyda isn’t mincing his words ahead of Saturday’s daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabéu, acknowledging the mammoth task his side faces against a Real Madrid team boasting what he considers football royalty.

Facing the Impossible Task

The Argentine tactician was refreshingly honest in his pre-match presser at Sevilla’s Jesús Navas Stadium, highlighting the scale of the challenge awaiting his troops in the Spanish capital.

“The team we’re facing has the three best players in the world right now: Vinícius, Mbappé and Bellingham,” Almeyda declared, making no bones about the quality his side will be up against. “And when you’re facing the three best in the world, I don’t know what medicine there is to stop them.”

It’s a proper nightmare for any manager, that. The Sevilla boss clearly recognizes he’s got his work cut out trying to contain Madrid’s devastating attack in what will be their final fixture of 2025.

History Against Them

The stats don’t make for pleasant reading if you’re of a Sevilla persuasion. Almeyda pointed out his side needs to produce something they haven’t managed since 2009 - a win at the Bernabéu. Sixteen years is a right old drought, innit?

While acknowledging the obvious differences between Barcelona and Real Madrid’s playing styles, Almeyda was clear that this match requires an entirely different approach compared to their recent encounter with the Catalans.

Squad Updates

There’s some positive news on the injury front for Sevilla:

• Nyland, Kike Salas and Marcao all returned to training and are in the traveling squad
• The team must quickly move past their recent Copa del Rey elimination
• Almeyda emphasized collective responsibility for individual errors that have cost them recently

Philosophical Approach

When asked about his return to the Bernabéu as Sevilla manager, Almeyda was philosophical, distancing himself from his playing days and focusing solely on his current role.

“I personally don’t take anything from it. I stopped being a footballer, it’s another stage,” he reflected, showing he’s not one to dwell on past glories.

The gaffer also showed his class when defending fellow manager Xabi Alonso against criticism, displaying the camaraderie that exists among the coaching fraternity despite the dog-eat-dog nature of the business.

As for specific tactics against Madrid’s star-studded lineup? That’s for the dressing room only, but you can bet your bottom dollar Sevilla will need to be absolutely bob-on to have any chance of causing an upset in the capital.