Sevilla FC enters a pivotal La Liga showdown against Levante UD with just one confirmed absence in their defensive ranks: César Azpilicueta. Head coach Luis García Plaza confirmed the veteran Spanish right-back remains sidelined due to an ongoing muscular issue, marking his second consecutive match unavailable after missing the Atlético de Madrid encounter.
The update came following Sevilla’s Sunday training session at the Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros, where García Plaza addressed the media ahead of Monday’s fixture. Even as Azpilicueta continues his recovery, the coach revealed positive news elsewhere in the backline: José Ángel Carmona and Tanguy Nianzou are set to return after serving suspensions that kept them out of the previous matchday.
“For now, the only confirmed absence is César Azpilicueta,” García Plaza stated, according to club sources. “He’s still dealing with that muscular problem that kept him out against Atlético. We’re monitoring it closely, but he won’t be risked for this game.”
The Sevilla defender’s absence compounds an already thin defensive situation. Marcao, the Brazilian centre-back, remains out on a long-term injury, leaving the Navarrese international as the most experienced option at right-back — now unavailable. His loss is particularly felt given Sevilla’s battle to avoid relegation, with every point critical in the tight lower half of La Liga.
Azpilicueta, 34, joined Sevilla in summer 2023 on a free transfer after departing Chelsea, bringing a wealth of experience from over 500 Premier League appearances and multiple major trophies. Since arriving in Andalusia, he has made 32 appearances across all competitions, often deployed as a right-back or occasionally at centre-back when needed.
His current injury, first reported after Sevilla’s 2-1 loss to Atlético de Madrid on April 12, has not been officially detailed by the club beyond references to muscular discomfort. No timeline for return has been provided, though García Plaza’s comments suggest Azpilicueta is unlikely to feature in the immediate future.
Meanwhile, the returns of Carmona and Nianzou offer tactical flexibility. Carmona, a product of Sevilla’s academy, has made 47 La Liga appearances since breaking through in 2021, primarily operating as a right-back or wing-back. Nianzou, the French centre-back signed from Bayern Munich in 2022, has featured 28 times in La Liga, providing depth in central defence despite occasional injury setbacks.
Their reinstatement means García Plaza can revert to a more familiar defensive setup. With Azpilicueta out, the likely options at right-back include Carmona pushing forward or Jesús Navas, the 39-year-old club legend, shifting from his usual midfield role to fill in — a solution used sporadically this season when defensive cover was needed.
In central defence, the absence of Marcao continues to loom large. The 27-year-old has missed significant time since December with a persistent issue, forcing Sevilla to rely on pairings such as Nianzou with Loïc Bade or Karim Rekik, or occasionally deploying Fernando in a makeshift role. The Brazilian’s long-term absence remains one of the club’s most pressing squad concerns.
Levante, currently 18th in La Liga with 31 points, sit just above the drop zone but have won only two of their last eight matches. Sevilla, in 16th with 34 points, hold a slim three-point buffer over the relegation zone — making Monday’s clash at the Ciutat de València a six-pointer in the truest sense.
The fixture, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Local time (18:30 UTC), will be Sevilla’s second away game in four days following their trip to Atlético. A win would significantly ease pressure, while a loss could drag them into a precarious position with three matches remaining.
García Plaza, in his first full season as Sevilla head coach after taking over mid-campaign, has emphasized defensive solidity as a cornerstone of his approach. The team has conceded just 1.1 goals per game under his leadership, an improvement from the 1.48 average under his predecessor. However, injuries have frequently disrupted his preferred backline combinations.
Beyond the defensive updates, Sevilla confirmed that midfielder Lucien Agoumé is available after recovering from a minor knock, while striker Kelechi Iheanacho remains doubtful due to a lingering thigh issue. No modern suspensions or absences were reported ahead of the Levante encounter.
For global fans, the match will be broadcast internationally via La Liga’s official partners, with coverage varying by region. In the United States, ESPN+ will carry the game live, while viewers in the UK can tune in via LaLigaTV. Live updates and post-match analysis will be available on archysport.com.
As Sevilla prepares for what could be a defining moment in their season, the availability of experienced players like Azpilicueta remains a key factor. Until his return, the burden falls on the squad’s younger options and veteran adaptability to navigate the final stretch of the La Liga campaign.
Stay tuned to archysport.com for confirmed lineups, live match coverage, and post-reaction from the Ciutat de València as Sevilla battle for vital points in their fight to remain in Spain’s top flight.
