TAD ruling shortens Almeyda ban, return pencilled in for Atlético visit | OneFootball

The club said in a statement that the Tribunal de Arbitraje Deportivo has reduced Matías Almeyda’s suspension by one match, citing the coach’s formal remorse after his incident with referee Iosu Galech. He is now set to return on matchday 31, when Atlético de Madrid visit Sevilla the weekend of 12 April.

Almeyda has already served three matches against Getafe, Betis and Rayo, and will be absent only for the trips to FC Barcelona and Valencia CF, and the game with Real Oviedo.

Attention now turns to the imminent visit to FC Barcelona. In his pre-match briefing, Almeyda stressed the scale of the task, portraying the hosts as close to excellence in every area. He said facing Lamine Yamal, whom he described as the best footballer in the world right now, demands absolute focus and a near-perfect plan, while noting that perfection does not exist.

Sevilla travel with renewed optimism as key players return. Rubén Vargas feels physically secure after missing the last squad, and Batista Mendy is a realistic option for the starting XI.

Almeyda distanced himself from fatalism about a barren run at the Camp Nou over the past 23 years, urging trust in what they will do. He also noted Sevilla had stunned Barcelona earlier this season with a fine home victory.

His return will fall during LaLiga’s retro-themed matchweek, when clubs wear vintage-style kits. Despite the partial success, the club intend to exhaust all possible avenues to try to annul the remainder of the suspension.

Source: La Colina De Nervion