Joaquín faces what aims to be the last season of his sports career so, consequently, this afternoon’s may be the last Seville derby that he disputes. to do it, the player from Porto will reach the figure of 26 duels of the maximum Sevillian rivalry, since to date he has accumulated 21 in the League in the First Division, two in the Second Division and two in the Copa del Rey, which makes him the footballer who has played the most derbies. In addition, Sevilla is the team that has been measured the most times in his career, since if his games as a Betic are added to those played with the shirts of Valencia, Malaga and Fiorentina, the figure shoots up to 40.
Juanmi’s suspension due to suspension increases Joaquín’s playing options, although this does not mean that Pellegrini opens the door to ownership. In fact, the Chilean was questioned about it in the press conference prior to the match and did not get the least bit wet: “We don’t know if it will be Joaquín’s last derby. All those mentioned are ready to play. Joaquín is coming off a long injury, but being on the list could be part of the game. I see Joaquín without losing his physical condition, maybe he can’t ask him to play all the games at 40 years old, but whether he continues or not will be seen at the end of the season “.
The man from Porto has not entered Pellegrini’s plans this year as much as he expected. In fact, he did not play in the Cup derby and only had injury time in the League derby that Sevilla won at Villamarín. But the truth is that the last starting derby as Joaquín dates from the penultimate day of 17/18. Since then, eight derbies have been played between the League and Copa del Rey, coming off the bench in six and not playing in the remaining two.
About to turn 40, which right now reflects his identity card, Joaquín renewed for one more season with Betis. He did it after a season in which he played 30 games and accumulated almost 1,500 minutes. However, despite the fact that Betis plays three competitionsJoaquín this year has played 729 minutes, of which only 114 have been in a League in which he has not yet started in any game.
But Joaquín is the flag of Betis and although derbies are not particularly good for him, the incentive of his possible dismissal gives him options today.