Ejuke Doubtful for Sevilla’s Huge Camp Nou Test

There’s a real chance Sevilla travel to Camp Nou this Saturday without one of their most dangerous weapons. Chidera Ejuke, the Super Eagles attacker who has quietly become one of La Liga’s most electric wide players this season, was absent from training on Wednesday due to physical discomfort. With the fixture against defending champions Barcelona just days away, his availability is now a genuine concern for coach Matías Almeyda.

As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, the 28-year-old has featured in 22 games across all competitions this season and has been one of Sevilla’s more reliable impact options, even if he’s started just four La Liga matches. He’s got 1 goal and 1 assist in 16 La Liga appearances this term, and his ability to change games from the bench has made him a valued piece of Almeyda’s setup.

Spanish outlet AS Futbol reported that Ejuke skipped training to avoid aggravating the issue into something more serious. That caution is wise, but it also means Sevilla head into one of their biggest games of the season without knowing whether he’s available.

The Camp Nou Context Matters Deeply

This isn’t just any away game. Sevilla travel to Barcelona sitting 14th in La Liga, a club fighting to stay in touch with the top half. Against the defending champions, at Camp Nou, they’ll need every weapon available. The reverse fixture earlier this season was one of their finest performances. Sevilla won that game 4-1 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, and Ejuke played a direct role, coming off the bench in stoppage time to assist Akor Adams’ goal that wrapped up the rout.

That night told you something important about Ejuke. Minimal minutes, maximum impact. He’s not someone who needs 90 minutes to leave his mark on a game. Coach Almeyda knows this well, and it’s why his fitness status matters even if he isn’t pencilled in as a starter.

What Ejuke Brings That Others Don’t

Barcelona typically press high and defend with a high line. That creates space in behind, and Ejuke has the pace to exploit it. He led La Liga in successful dribbles at one point earlier this season, finishing above Lamine Yamal, Mbappé, and Vinicius Jr. in that specific metric. For a Sevilla team that needs to be disciplined defensively and dangerous on the counter, his dribbling profile is almost tailor-made for this kind of fixture.

He’s also a smart ball carrier in tight spaces, meaning he could hold up possession and create openings even if Sevilla are forced to absorb pressure. Whether Almeyda uses him from the start or saves him as a second-half option depends entirely on what happens in Thursday’s training session.

For Nigerian fans and Super Eagles followers, this game has extra significance. The Bet9ja YOHAIG promotion code offers up to ₦100,000 in bonus funds, ideal for backing Nigerian players in high-profile European fixtures like Barcelona vs Sevilla this weekend.

Sevilla’s La Liga Survival Push

Sevilla sit 14th in the La Liga table with a record of 7 wins, 4 draws, and 12 losses. It’s been a difficult season for Los Nervionenses, who have leaned heavily on moments of individual quality to stay competitive. Ejuke has been one of those moments on multiple occasions.

Two weeks before this training setback, he was praised by assistant manager Javi Martinez after helping Sevilla claw back a 2-2 draw against local rivals Real Betis. That kind of contribution from a substitute is what separates good squads from struggling ones.

Sevilla will hope Ejuke passes fit in time. If he doesn’t make the trip to Camp Nou, they lose more than just a winger. They lose a threat that even Barcelona defenders have had reason to worry about.