César Soto Grado will referee the LaLiga EA Sports fixture between Athletic Club and Sevilla FC, scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at San Mamés, with Valentín Pizarro Gómez operating the VAR, according to official competition designations. The upcoming match serves as a high-stakes test for both clubs early in the domestic calendar.
Match Details and Refereeing Crew
César Soto Grado takes charge of his eighth top-flight campaign in Spanish football, bringing extensive experience that includes previous assignments in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. For Saturday’s 17:00 local time kickoff at San Mamés, Soto Grado will be joined by assistant referees Carlos Álvarez and Rubén Becerril, alongside fourth official Francisco Crespo. In the video review room, Valentín Pizarro Gómez leads the VAR operations, supported by assistant video assistant referee Adrián Cordero Vega and official match reporter Carlos Delgado.
Historical Records and Disciplinary Trends
Across 141 career appearances in Spain’s top division, Soto Grado has overseen Sevilla FC on 18 official occasions. Historical records for those fixtures show seven victories, six draws, and five defeats for the Andalusian club, accompanied by 41 yellow cards and two red cards issued against them. Although Sevilla has not secured a victory under Soto Grado’s whistle since April 2023, the club’s broader modern record under his supervision includes just two losses in their last 12 matches as the primary referee. Against Athletic Club, Soto Grado has previously managed 10 matches, with the Basque side dropping only three of those encounters.
Squad Condition and Roster Updates
Both managers enter the weekend fixture dealing with notable squad adjustments. Athletic Club manager Edin Terzic named a 23-player matchday group that features the returns of Nico Williams, Aymeric Laporte, and Guruzeta, while defender Dani Vivian remains sidelined due to an adductor injury. For Sevilla, head coach Luis García Plaza travels without defender Kike Salas, who serves a suspension following a straight red card issued during the opening fixture against Rayo. Sevilla also arrived without Rubén Vargas, whose transfer status involves active negotiations with Olympiacos, while welcoming newly signed Giorgi Kochorashvili into the travelling squad.
Historical Context at San Mamés
Fixtures at San Mamés have historically presented a formidable challenge for Sevilla, yielding 19 wins, 10 draws, and 51 defeats across 80 elite league visits. However, recent history reflects a competitive shift, with Sevilla claiming victories in Bilbao during the 2020, 2021, and 2023 calendar years, alongside a 1-1 draw last season where a point was saved in stoppage time. Saturday’s match will be broadcast live in open access via DAZN as both sides look to solidify their early-season standing.
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