Sevilla does not measure up against City
Sampaoli’s men say goodbye to the Champions League with a defeat (3-1) in Manchester
MADRID, 2 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Sevilla FC fell (3-1) this Wednesday against Manchester City on the last day of the Champions League group stage, dismissing the top continental competition for the Spanish side, who fought against a rival with unusual but he was not able to get any medicine in his pothole.
Jorge Sampaoli’s men left a good first, with nerves at the start but with a goal from Rafa Mir. However, the rival coach, Pep Guardiola, was making headlines in the process that lay ahead at the Etihad Stadium and City easily knocked out a Sevilla that is going to the Europa League still in search of an eleven, an identity and of the confidence lost also in the League.
Against all odds, or at least heavy rain, Sevilla managed to stick their heads out in Manchester. Sampaoli’s idea, with five defenders, four if he had to attack, with Mir on the right and Isco and Papu pressing inside, took time to become strong, especially in the containment of a City that had possession and accepted gifts.
With the first minute, both teams had chances due to oversights behind, Mir’s more complicated and Palmer’s more clear for the locals. The English team came out with several unusual ones, including this young Englishman, and an even younger one, 17-year-old Rico Lewis. The one who suffered the most was the Spanish Sergio Gómez.
Despite having possession, Pep Guardiola’s innovative team lacked the punch of Haaland or De Bruyne, and Sevilla knew how to weather the storm. The ‘almost chances’ of the English were answered by Sampaoli’s team with a restless Mir looking to get away from Gómez. The powerful visiting striker also found the free header and, the second time, in an unmarked corner kick -again indicated the same one in light blue- he achieved the 0-1.
Sevilla regretted Marcao’s injury, which conditioned the changes in the second half, but kept the English champion at bay, with some suffering on the way to the locker room. Sampaoli moved to the bench, in his search for short- and long-term solutions, but City dominated the restart and took advantage of those gifts.
Telles did not clear as he should and the ball fell to the young Lewis, who made his debut in the competition, to make it 1-1. Later, Bono took the second from Rubén Días, with a growing sense of danger and a lot in the locals. Sevilla was again able to stop the bleeding, breathe a little with the counter and Mir.
So, Guardiola upped the ante with Bernardo Silva and, above all, with Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian did not take long to work his magic, with a perfect assist for Julián Álvarez to uncheck and make it 2-1. Sevilla was subdued and this time without response, against a City that smelled the blood in the pressure and the poor visitor output.
The Andalusian team played it more than once with Bono until Carmona fell into the sky-blue net, with Mahrez’s 3-1. Sevilla, who left a better face in Dortmund, returns to Nervión with a suspense although in a level shooting ahead of the derby against Real Betis on Sunday. The Citizens regain their grip with first place secured, after draws against Copenhagen and Borussia.
–RESULT: MANCHESTER CITY, 3 – SEVILLA, 1. (0-1, at halftime).
MANCHESTER CITY: Ortega; Lewis (Cancelo, min.85), Rubén Días, Laporte, Sergio Gómez (Wilson-Esbrand, min.70); Gündogan (Bernardo Silva, min.57), Palmer (De Bruyne, min.70), Foden, Mahrez, Grealish (Rodri, rest) and Julián Álvarez.
SEVILLE: Bonus; Montiel, Carmona, Marcao (Gudelj, min.45), Rekik, Acuña (Alex Telles, rest); Delaney, Rakitic (Joan Jordan, min. 67), Papu (Suso, rest), Isco (Lamela, min. 57); Rafa Mira.
0 – 1, min.31, Mir.
1 – 1, min.52, Lewis.
2 – 1, min.73, Julian Alvarez.
3 – 1, min.83, Mahrez.
–REFEREE: Orel Grinfeeld (ISR). No warnings.
–ESTADIO: Etihad Stadium.
