Sevilla are clinging on ‘not giving up’ against City

José Luis Mendilibar’s Sevilla defied the doubts they still harbor about their squad’s preparation and a poor start to the league with a home defeat against Valencia and now meet Manchester City with nothing less than a title at stake, the European Super Cup which they dispute every year, as the first official title of the season the champion of the Champions League and the champion of the Europa League.

The rivalry in the port of Piraeus, in the Greek capital, Athens, pits two teams against each other with different temperaments and with a clear favorite, Pep Guardiola’s squad, who celebrates his eighth season at Manchester City and with whom he Last season. a step further by finally becoming the king of Europe under the leadership of Haaland, a player with a special ability to score against Sevilla, as he scored four goals in two encounters with Borussia Dortmund. In addition, the Norwegian came with a good outlook, as he scored a double against Burnley in the 0-3 draw on the first day in the Premier League.

Sevilla stuck to its enviable ability to transform when it smelled the possibility of grabbing silverware and left the example from the arrival on the bench of Pizjuán de Mendilibar, which not only avoided relegation but also entertained the Andalusian team. to take him to a European final and win it. The title, added to the victory over Roma in Budapest, is the seventh in the Europa League and the eighth on the continent, as they also won the Super Cup in 2006, when they beat Barça (0-3).

But Sevilla’s experience in this competition was not very positive, as they lost five finals, three of them after extra time, with UEFA’s exit being a new one in this edition.

Sevilla had a last-minute collapse, Fernando Reges, an old acquaintance of Guardiola’s and a member of City. While the club has not ruled out travel on the day of the game, it also does not give him many options, as the midfielder missed the plane that took Sevilla to Athens due to viral gastroenteritis. His absence was joined by Nianzou and Marcao due to injury.

The defensive fragility is worrying as all the protagonists keep closing the door on Sergio Ramos. The strong man in midfield, given the loss of Fernando, could be Sow, who played his first minute against Valencia on the first day.

Mendilibar is trying to encourage his players by separating them from the constant rumors about his future at a club with open ears to listen to offers. Bono, En-Nesyri and in recent times Acuña with an offer from Aston Villa de Monchi, could leave at any time.

At City, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne and Ruben Dias are important casualties, although Pep has a dressing room that is intimidating given the quality of names and the millions of euros invested. Even in the middle of a team that never gives up, anything can happen.