'I've been told' - Luis Garcia explains decision to bench Ejuke in Sevilla's win at Villarreal

Sevilla manager Luis García Plaza has explained that Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke was left out of the starting lineup against Villarreal due to fitness concerns rather than tactical reasons.

The Nigerian forward was an unused substitute as Sevilla produced a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Villarreal at Estadio de la Cerámica in LaLiga.

His omission from the starting lineup surprised many Sevilla supporters, especially after García Plaza had praised the winger’s recent performances in the club’s previous matches.

Speaking to DAZN before kickoff, the Sevilla coach revealed that the club’s medical staff advised caution regarding Ejuke’s condition.

García Plaza stressed that the team could not afford to take risks with players carrying physical problems during the closing stages of the season.

“I’ve been told that I should only bring on Ejuke if absolutely necessary,” García Plaza explained before the match, as quoted by Estadio Deportivo.

The Sevilla manager added that the players involved were not fully capable of completing an entire match and that the club wanted to avoid long-term setbacks.

“Maybe they could play for half an hour or 45 minutes, but not for a full 90. Right now we can’t risk losing anyone because any muscle injury will rule them out and they won’t play again,” he said.

Ejuke had recently regained prominence in Sevilla’s squad after impressing in crucial matches during the club’s fight against relegation.

Despite missing the start against Villarreal, Ejuke was named on the bench as Sevilla secured a vital victory to continue their recent resurgence.

The visitors came from two goals down to defeat Villarreal 3-2, with Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze scoring for the hosts before Oso, Kike Salas and Nigerian striker Akor Adams completed the comeback for Sevilla.

The result extended Sevilla’s winning run to three matches and moved them further away from the relegation zone with only two league games remaining this season.