Valverde explains Nico benching in Sevilla is for fitness, not Sporting Portugal | OneFootball

According to El Correo, Ernesto Valverde left Nico out of the starting line-up at Sevilla for fitness reasons, not to rest him for Sporting Portugal on Wednesday.

The winger did not travel to Bergamo for the Champions League tie against Atalanta because of an overload in his left adductor. Valverde had already indicated he came off before completing the final session ahead of that game.

This week he has trained little and with some discomfort, so the coach judged it safer not to start him.

Valverde insisted he is not thinking about Wednesday, calling today the most important game.

Nico is the only one from the late Atalanta absentees not to start in Seville. Berenguer and Yuri Berchiche return to the line-up.

Urko Izeta makes his first league start. The coach described him as the natural striker available, with Guruzeta suspended and Maroan injured, and someone who offers qualities when he comes on.

Source: El Correo