Manchester City won on penalties against Sevilla FC on Wednesday evening to win the first European Super Cup in its history (2-2, 5-4 tab).
The adage is as old as football: in high-level sport, it is more difficult to stay at the top than to reach it. Yet it is this mission that awaits Pep Guardiola and Manchester City for this new season. After completing a fantastic Champions League-Premier League-FA Cup treble last season, the Sky Blues had the opportunity to lift a first trophy after coming up against Sevilla FC, winners of the Europa League, for the European Super Cup.
This ax match obviously does not have the prestige of a European coronation, but it allowed the Cityzens to continue their revival, at the dawn of an exercise started in rather particular conditions. In addition to the quack against Arsenal during the Community Shield, Manchester City had to present themselves with a completely new eleven. Already weakened by the departure of executive players like Ilkay Gündogan or Riyad Mahrez, Guardiola must build a new offensive animation with the injury of his master to play Kevin De Bruyne, who will not play again before 2024.
Man City are still looking for themselves, but don’t give up
In this rather vague context, Manchester City held its rank by having an always unpredictable Sevilla team. Pep Guardiola was wary of the European culture of the Andalusian club, capable of transcending itself in this type of match. But the Spanish technician has found the right formula to avoid the trap set by the Rojiblancos. Unsurprisingly, City were no exception in their attempts to confiscate the ball on long possession streaks. This approach was slow to bear fruit as Manchester City were initially surprised by a more realistic Sevilla side early in the game.
The men of Jose Luis Mendilibar took the lead thanks to a victorious helmet shot from the giant En-Nesyri (0-1, 26th). The center-forward of the Morocco team had a break point after returning from the locker room, but he came up against Walker, author of a precious comeback in extremis (60th). A turning point, certainly, since City equalized in stride on a lobed header from Palmer (1-1, 63rd).
While eyes were on Erling Haaland, the Norwegian, who scored twice on Friday against Burnley in the Premier League (3-0), was silent this time around, and even quite discreet in the game. City pushed in regulation time, without being rewarded. This final was therefore decided on penalties. And in this little game, the English champion had the last word after the attempt on the bar by Gudelj. If Pep Guardiola wins the 4th Supercup of his immense career, it is a great first for the English club, new-rich with an increasingly full window.
