Sevilla FC completed their final training session on Friday before travelling to Bilbao for Saturday's LaLiga match against Athletic Club at San Mamés.
Head coach Luis García Plaza maintained his regular routine of training the squad at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium on the day before the match. The team face Athletic Club on Saturday at 17:00 local time in matchday two of LaLiga.
San Mamés, known traditionally as La Catedral, is the historic home ground of Athletic Club in northern Spain. Sevilla FC are seeking to build on their opening fixture of the LaLiga season, where they recorded a 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano.
Squad news and fitness doubts
The major absence from the pitch during Friday's session was Rubén Vargas. The Swiss attacker missed training with his teammates for the second consecutive day due to knee discomfort, while speculation continues surrounding his future at the club.
In contrast, forward Alfon provided positive news for the coaching staff by completing another full training session with the main group. He aims to be available for selection for the trip to Bilbao.
Vargas could join several already confirmed absentees for the upcoming fixture. Defender Marcão remains sidelined through injury, while Adrià Pedrosa and Fabio Cardoso have both been left out of squad plans. In addition, Kike Salas is serving a mandatory suspension following his red card in the opening match against Rayo Vallecano.
Defensive choices for Luis Garcia Plaza
The suspension of Salas leaves García Plaza with a tactical dilemma in central defense. One option is to call upon Andrés Castrín, who has fully recovered from a pubalgia issue that hampered his pre-season preparations.
Alternatively, the manager could shift Juan Iglesias into the center of the defensive line, with José Ángel Carmona filling the right-back role. Both setups are under consideration as the team finalises its defensive structure for the trip to Bilbao.
Midfield reinforcement from Portugal
Alongside squad preparations, Sevilla FC are finalizing an incoming transfer in midfield. Georgian international Giorgio Kochorashvili has arrived in the Andalusian capital to complete a move from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
Kochorashvili is set to sign a four-year contract with the club to strengthen their central midfield options. Sevilla officials hope the player will be registered in time to travel with the squad to the Basque Country for Saturday's encounter.
Sevilla FC compete in LaLiga, the top tier of Spanish professional football, and are working to solidify their squad before the transfer window closes. Their match against Athletic Club in Bilbao marks their first away fixture of the new league season.
