Pep Guardiola is not accustomed to letting silverware slip through his fingers whatever its perceived value in the grander scheme of things. Just 10 days after missing out on the chance to lift the Community Shield at Wembley Manchester City made amends by lifting the UEFA Super Cup in Athens.
After 90 minutes played out in sweltering 30 degree temperatures approaching midnight City it took a penalty shootout to separate the sides, City winning 5-4, Nemanja Gudelj crashing Sevilla’s fifth spotkick against the bar. Victory gave City a fourth piece of silverware inside 12 weeks and a 15th trophy at the start of Guardiola’s eight season in charge.
After a week City in which he has lost Kevin de Bruyne for four months, this was a lining of sorts. Normal time had seen the two locked after Youssef En-Nesyri’s first half header was cancelled out by Cole Palmer’s second-half headed goal.
Against the run of play it was the La Liga side who took the lead after 25 minutes, a sweeping move from back to front getting the ball to Aston Villa-target Marcos Acuna on the left and his centre headed home by Youssef En-Nesryi.
Fingers could be pointed at both of City’s summer signings, Kovacic failed to get a foot in in the centr circle as a quick ball forward was flicked out to the left.
En Nesryi scored twice against Manchester United in their 3-0 Europa League quarter-final defeat and is a handful but he got in front of £76million Josko Gvardiol making his first start too easily.
Sevilla might have doubled their lead had Eric Lamela kept his shot down just after the half-hour mark. But the La Liga side ended breathing a sigh of relief at reaching half-time level, a teasing Grealish cross eluding everyone at the back post, Palmer failing to react in time to turn it in.
It was a disappointing first half display from Guardiola’s side. Despite having 74 per cent of the first-half possession they lacked cut through the middle.
Erling Haaland had one of his anonymous efforts albeit starved of service and Phil Foden, as hard as he tried to find space could not shake off the shadow of Ivan Rakitic.
City’s frustrations were boiling over both on the pitch. As the players sweltered in oppressive 30 degree heat approaching midnight here in Athens, off it goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor was booked for remonstrating.
With the game opening up and City pushing forward gaps appeared on the counter. Lucas Ocampos skipped clear of Kyle Walker on the left flank and centred only for En Nesryi to fire too close to Ederson.
Minutes later a break down the other flank from Jesus Navas saw Walker redeem himself, stretching to touch the cross back towards Ederson with the Moroccan arriving behind him.
City’s equaliser arrived on 63 minutes and of all the front line it was fitting that it went to Palmer, Rodri floating a ball over Haaland’s head and the young winger nodding it back and across Bono.
It capped a fine night for the City youngster who might not need a loan move to see more first action may well be denied a loan move. He tired late on but was the Premier League side’s best player for the 85 minutes he was on.
Bono nearly deflected Walker’s cross into Foden’s path batting the ball across and out and Sevilla had a few darting breaks.
Ake nearly won it for City in stoppage time with a diving header at the back post from Foden’s free kick, Bono reacting well to turn it over the bar. It proved the last significant moment in normal time with the match settled from the spot.
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