Manchester City did not miss their premiere! The Citizens won their very first European Super Cup, dominating a fine team from Sevilla FC on Wednesday evening in Athens. In a rhythmic match, it was the winners of the last Europa League who first showed themselves to be the most enterprising with the goal full of rage from Youssef En-Nesyri (25th).
Apathetic, the Skyblues woke up at the hour of play through the young Cole Palmer, from the head (63rd). Despite a clear domination at the end of the match by Pep Guardiola’s players, it was the penalty shootout that allowed City to lift the first trophy of their season. Sevilla, who had match points in the second half, was not unworthy.
Sevilla rocked City
After the missed shot on goal by the Serbian defender of Sevilla, Nemanja Gudelj, the Skyblues let explode with excessive joy. For what ? Because they have come a long way. After a perfectly mastered penalty shootout (5-4), Manchester City put its name on the Supercup list, for its first participation. Yet it was not won.
Because the players of José Luis Mendilibar gave a hard time to an English formation marked by the absences of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. Apart from this opportunity from Nathan Aké’s header at the start of the match, well repelled by Yassine Bono (8th), City made City: possession game and wing changes. There were no notable chances in the first half and on one of Sevilla’s rare incursions the stadium rumbled for the first time.
The Argentine side Marcos Acuña sent a love of center towards his Moroccan striker who was not asked. Youssef En-Nesyri rose above everyone else to score. The Rojiblancos did not stop there: En-Nesyri had three break points in this closed game. But the attacker, rather clumsy with his right foot (50th, 52nd and 67th), stumbled on Ederson. After the hour mark, the storm seemed to have passed for City.
Palmer sounded the revolt
Bend but don’t break. Even with their backs to the wall, City continued to insist, until the equalizing goal, which came from a magnificent cross from Rodri towards the young Cole Palmer, 21, who turned into a one-night hero. A goal that could have launched City to victory but Bono did not give up: imperial on a curling shot from Palmer (69th), supported by his defense on the only clear chance of Erling Haaland (79th) and explosive on the head of Aké at the very end of the game (90th +1).
Bono therefore sent his team towards the penalty shootout. But this time, the Moroccan could not do anything on the five opposing strikes. Seville can bite their fingers, City is jubilant, here they are again on the roof of Europe.