Natalia Padilla Bidas in the Seville Derby

“PASION, AMBICION, FUTURO” – The three words written in huge red letters on the main stand of the Estadio Jesús Navas will have been understood by speakers of not just Spanish. And the pasión was palpable on Sunday, 19 January in Seville at the women’s derby between Sevilla and Real Betis. Featuring that day for the hosts was midfielder Natalia Padilla Bidas, who is on a season-long loan from Bayern. Francisco De Sá Fardilha, FC Bayern Women’s technical director, is in constant contact with the players out on loan from the club. This time he even got to go see Natalia play live, with Bayern already in Seville for their mid-season training camp.

Padilla Bidas getting back to her best

“It’s always important to watch our loanees in person when you get the chance. It doesn’t just give me an impression of their performances on the pitch but also of their environment and can build the trust to the loan club,” De Sá Fardilha said on his way to the stadium. The technical director was able to leave his winter jacket in the car. The sun was shining and keeping this January evening warm in southern Spain.

The main stand filled up shortly before kick-off, with around 3,000 people in to watch this top-flight derby between 10th-placed Sevilla and Betis in 13th. It sounded like there were far more in attendance, though. Fans from both sides were chanting and banging drums before the Sevilla club anthem was belted out. The teams lined up, with Padilla Bidas wearing number 22 taking up her position on the right wing. The 22-year-old has started every game since her switch to Spain, except one match that she missed with a muscular injury. Things haven’t always been that good for the midfielder, who spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Köln without much playing time.

“I had a tough season at Köln, but I’ve learned from that. I’ve rediscovered my confidence here at Sevilla. I’m finally the ‘real’ Natalia Padilla Bidas again who scores goals and gives her all for club and country,” she stated. The Poland international was living up to the Sevilla club motto of nunca te rindas – never give up. And she showed it on the pitch in this derby as well. 

One of her crosses after just five minutes posed a real threat in the penalty area. Shortly after, she played a good one-two before calling for greater accuracy from her teammates. It wasn’t until the 54th minute that the dominant hosts finally went ahead through Lucía Moral. It was then job done for the day for Padilla Bidas after an hour. 

“I’m pleased, but I could’ve taken on more dribbles and duels,” she said in analysis afterwards. De Sá Fardilha was also full of praise: “Natalia worked hard and made things tough for the opposition. I think she had a big influence.” Sevilla doubled their lead in the 78th minute though Millaray Cortés, while Betis resorted to more fouls as the atmosphere on the pitch and in the stands grew more heated. As the final whistle blew, Padilla Bidas and her teammates rushed onto the pitch to celebrate derby spoils with their fans.

Part of the Bayern family

The pride of those in red and white in the stands was also clear to see. Sunflower seeds, a classic stadium snack in Spain, went flying through the air. Scarves were being waved. Maria, Andrea and Marta attend every home game, but this was a special moment for them. “We cheer on our team in every game, but the derby against Real Betis is the most important of them all. It’s games like this where we need Padilla Bidas in particular. She’s quick and a good finisher. She always looks to attack and is just a great forward. We’ll be sad when she goes at the end of the season.” Hannelore and her friends are a generation older, but the emotions are just the same: “We’re big fans and have season tickets. Every game is important to us, but the derby is special. Natalia played great. She’s a good fit for Sevilla, tactically good and with great vision of the game.”

Padilla Bidas and her teammates dance and sing with the supporters for around 20 minutes. She then comes over to De Sá Fardilha in the tunnel with a beaming smile. “Seville is red and white!” she proudly announces. The pair then discuss the game and Natalia’s performance. Sevilla Women’s director Amparo Gutierrez also joins in. Communication between the clubs and the loan player is working week. “Francisco, Amparo and I are in regular and good contact. That really helps me because it means I feel the trust both clubs are giving me,” Padilla Bidas said.

By sending out players on loan, Bayern are following a well-thought-through concept. “When we sign a player, we have a specific plan but also a responsibility for that person. That means we don’t just loan out players and then forget about them but closely follow their progress. That’s very important to us and is what ‘Mia san mia’ is about. All our loan players remain part of the Bayern family and should feel that,” De Sá Fardilha stated. As well as Padilla Bidas, there are five other first-team players currently out on loan in Samantha Kerr (Liverpool), Ana Maria Guzmán (Utah Royals), Jill Baijings (Aston Villa), Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir (Bayer Leverkusen) and Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir (Inter Milan). fcbayern.com provides regular updates on them in our Loan Watch series.

Confidence for 2025

It’s set to be an exciting 2025 for Padilla Bidas. Her loan at Sevilla runs until the end of the season, while she has also qualified for this summer’s Euros in Switzerland with Poland. The 22-year-old has so far always been able to prove herself, previously winning the Swiss Women’s Cup and finishing as the league’s top scorer with Servette, while she’s also scored goals and provided assists for her country. Padilla Bidas doesn’t let setbacks get her down and is progressing well. “Natalia found the switch from the Swiss Super League to the Bundesliga a bit tough last season but was able to learn a lot at Köln. This year at Sevilla we’re seeing the Natalia we scouted in Switzerland. She’s taken on an important role in the team, and we think she’ll continue to develop and hopefully one day come back to Munich and score goals here too,” said De Sá Fardilha.

Padilla Bidas didn’t just show in the Seville derby what she’s about. The midfielder confidently said of her goals: “In the short term, I want to be top scorer at Sevilla. In the long term, I want to be one of the best in Europe.” She’s clearly living up to that Sevilla motto to the full, combining passion and ambition with a very promising future.

Recap Bayern’s winter training camp in Seville: