Nigerian International Akor Adams says Sevilla FC are prepared for the pressure and emotion of Sunday’s derby against fierce rivals Real Betis.
The forward, who has become increasingly influential in recent weeks, underlined his form with an assist in Sevilla’s last league outing against Getafe. He now hopes to carry that momentum into one of Spanish football’s most intense fixtures.
Betis have won the last two meetings between the sides, including a 2-0 victory earlier this season and a 2-1 home success last term. Sevilla, meanwhile, are seeking their first derby win since 2024.
“It’s more than a game, even though it comes down to three points at the end of the day,” Adams told SportyTV.
“There is emotion, there is passion, there is a sense of pride for whoever wins. It’s like you own the city if you win the game. It comes with a good pressure knowing you could give your people so much joy with one victory.”
Akor Adams celebrating his winning goal against Athletic Bilbao. Photo Credit: Imago
Betis fifth in La Liga and Sevilla 12th, five points above the relegation zone, the game extend beyond local rivalry.
“We would fight, we would give our best and make sure we don’t lose,” Adams added.
Beyond the derby, the 26-year-old stressed that consistency will define Sevilla’s season.
“In a league like this, everything is very close,” he said. “If you can consistently win three or four games, you would have a completely different outlook on the table.
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“We are working hard every day. The coach is the best we can have right now, the boys are focused. For me, we just need the consistency to produce the same results.”
Akor Adams. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Adams has scored six goals and provided three assists in 13 league starts this campaign. Yet he believes he must further embrace responsibility.
“As a striker, I know there’s the responsibility on me not only to score goals, but also to affect the game in a positive way,” he said.
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“What my team needs more from me is to own it, to give them the possibility of knowing that he’s going to do something. It could be the first minute, it could be the 90th minute. That’s a bit of my game that I really want to master.”
