MAN CITY WINS THEIR MAIDEN UEFA SUPER CUP

 

Image Credit- Al Jazeera. 

In August 2023, UCL winners Manchester City took on Europa League winners Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup Match at Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece. Everyone was expecting an exciting game as Manchester City were in their best of forms, whereas Sevilla has a history of performing big on crucial occasions. Initially the match was supposed to take place in Kazan, Russia, but the same was changed because UEFA and FIFA have banned Russia from professional football. So, the venue was shifted to Greece. 

In the eighth minute, Nathan Aké's header was saved by Yassine Bounou as Manchester City came close to taking the lead. In the 17th minute, Bounou also turned away a shot from Jack Grealish that came from outside the penalty area. Youssef En-Nesyri was able to head the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal in the 25th minute after Marcos Acua crossed the ball into the penalty area. This gave Sevilla the lead. En-Nesyri was given a clear shot at goal by Lucas Ocampos in the second half, but Ederson blocked his shot. In the 63rd minute, Cole Palmer equalized the score by heading the ball past Bounou off of a cross from Rodri.

En-Nesyri was again given a clear shot at goal by Ocampos in the 64th minute, but Ederson again stopped him. In the 69th minute, Palmer also had a curling attempt blocked by Bounou. Aké's header was eventually pushed over by Bounou as a result of City's persistent pressure. After 90 minutes of play, the score remained tied, necessitating a penalty shootout. The first four penalties were converted by both clubs, and when City captain Kyle Walker converted the fifth, Nemanja Gudelj missed the key opportunity for Sevilla by hitting the crossbar, giving Manchester City a 5-4 victory in the Super Cup.

With this the Men in Blue won their fourth trophy of this year.