Oso Returns to Training as Sevilla Build Towards Derbi Showdown
Academy defender Oso is back on the training pitch four days before Sevilla's derby clash with Betis, giving Almeyda a potential boost on the left flank.
Sevilla are back at it ahead of Sunday’s Seville derby, and there’s a welcome face back on the training pitch at the Nervión sports city.
Almeyda gave his squad a couple of days off after their important win over Getafe at the Coliseum, but the squad returned to work this afternoon — and the headline news was the reappearance of homegrown defender Oso.
What happened to Oso?
The young full-back has been on the sidelines since picking up a muscle injury in the match against Girona on 8th February. The club confirmed at the time that he’d suffered a contusive myoaponeurotic injury to the internal calf muscle of his left leg — which, in plain English, is a nasty soft-tissue job that you don’t rush back from.
His involvement in the derby squad this Sunday is neither guaranteed nor ruled out just yet. He’s back training, which is obviously the right direction, but Sevilla will be taking no chances with four days still to go before kick-off.
Why does it matter?
Oso’s potential return is actually a proper boost for Almeyda, not just a footnote. Here’s why:
- Left-back cover is thin — Suazo has been doing the business there, but the Chilean isn’t exactly surrounded by depth in that position
- Tactical flexibility — Almeyda has used a double left-sided setup before and it’s worked, so having Oso available opens that option up again
- He’s not just a squad filler — the academy lad has featured in eight La Liga games this season and chipped in with an assist against Oviedo, plus he’s played in all three Copa del Rey ties
Basically, he gives the gaffer something to think about rather than having his hand forced.
The headaches that remain
It’s not all good news in the Sevilla camp, mind you. Almeyda is still dealing with a few problems heading into one of the biggest games on the Andalusian calendar:
- Nianzou is suspended — the defender misses out through a ban
- Rubén Vargas is still in the treatment room, with the Swiss winger being managed carefully to avoid a setback
- Marcao is the long-term concern — the centre-back is recovering in Brazil and won’t be back any time soon
- Almeyda himself serves the second match of his own touchline ban on Sunday
What’s next
Sevilla have three more morning training sessions at the Nervión sports city before the derby at the Estadio de La Cartuja on Sunday 1st March. Plenty of time to get the shape right — but not loads of wiggle room if anyone else picks up a knock.
The atmosphere around a Seville derby is always something else, and with both clubs in mid-table scraps for relevance in La Liga this season, the stakes feel that bit more loaded than usual. Oso’s fitness update will be one to watch over the next couple of days.