Sevilla FC won 1-0 against Juventud de Torremolinos in their first pre-season friendly, with a penalty goal from Miguel Sierra. The youth players took advantage of several absences to assert themselves in front of Luis García Plaza.
Sevilla FC kicked off the pre-season with a narrow but significant victory. This Saturday, behind closed doors at the club's training ground, Luis García Plaza's side overcame Juventud de Torremolinos, a Primera RFEF team, by 1-0. The only goal of the match was scored by Miguel Sierra from the penalty spot, following a foul he himself caused.
Youth players take the initiative in Sevilla's victory
With several absences in the squad, the Sevilla coach gave minutes to numerous players from the reserve team. Among them, Manuel Ángel Castillo, Jesús Cruz, and Sierra himself stood out, taking responsibility from the penalty spot. The match served as a first test for the young talents looking to make a place in the first team.
Juventud de Torremolinos, despite the defeat, put up a fight throughout the 90 minutes. The Malaga-based team, managed by Manolo Hierro, competed on equal terms with a Sevilla side still in the construction phase. The difference was marked by the experience of the Sevilla youth player at the crucial moment.
Notable absences in Luis García Plaza's starting eleven
Two players who had trained with the group during the week did not participate in the friendly. Nigerian forward Akor Adams and left-back Joaquín Martínez 'Oso' were left out due to negotiations regarding their respective transfers. Adams has finalised his move to Venezia FC, while 'Oso' is close to joining Fiorentina.
The absence of these players opened the door for the youth players, who did not waste the opportunity. Miguel Sierra, in addition to scoring, showed personality by claiming the ball to take the penalty. The coaching staff positively assessed the group's attitude in this first pre-season test.
A first test with many insights for Sevilla fans
For the average Sevilla fan, this match leaves several conclusions. The first is that the youth academy continues to be a resource for the first team. The second is that the squad is still in the process of being defined, with departures expected to be confirmed in the coming days. And the third is that the team needs match practice to reach the desired physical condition.
Juventud de Torremolinos, for their part, face the season with optimism after competing against a top-flight team. The coastal team, which plays in the third tier of Spanish football, demonstrated defensive solidity and only lost due to a penalty. Their next friendly will be against Málaga CF, another opponent from a higher category.
Sevilla will continue their preparation with another closed-door match next week, before travelling to Germany for the pre-season tour. Luis García Plaza has work ahead to adjust the starting eleven ahead of the start of LaLiga.
“It has been a positive first contact. The boys responded well and we saw interesting things,” the Sevilla coach assessed at the end of the match.
Sevilla's next commitment will be against Hannover 96, a more significant opponent that will serve to further evaluate the team's status. Meanwhile, the youth players continue to knock on the door of the first team.
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