Sevilla initially took the lead by way of Youssef En-Nesyri’s commanding header in the course of the first half.
Regardless of not being at their fluid finest, European champions Metropolis managed to stage the match, forcing a penalty shootout with Cole Palmer’s header.
Executing flawlessly from the penalty spot, Metropolis emerged triumphant within the shootout, profitable 5-Four as Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj struck the crossbar.
Pep Guardiola voiced his issues about his staff’s insufficient pre-season preparation, a sentiment that manifested on the sector within the scorching Greek capital.
Metropolis sorely felt the absence of the inventive duo Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, sidelined as a consequence of accidents and sickness respectively.
The extended absence of De Bruyne as a consequence of a severe hamstring harm compounded the void left by Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez’s diminished influence from the earlier season.
Rumors linking West Ham’s Brazilian star Lucas Paqueta to Etihad Stadium gained traction, and this efficiency accentuated Metropolis’s want to bolster their squad earlier than the switch window closes.
Sevilla commenced their La Liga marketing campaign with a disappointing 2-1 house defeat towards Valencia. Nonetheless, very like final season, after they secured their seventh Europa League title regardless of a middling league end, they rose to the event.
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou seemingly performed his last match for the membership, anticipating a transfer to Saudi aspect Al Hilal. Bounou denied Metropolis an early benefit with an important save towards Nathan Ake’s forceful header, destined for the underside nook.
Nevertheless, Guardiola’s aspect progressively misplaced their grip on possession, resulting in their undoing within the 25th minute.
Making his first begin for Metropolis after a €90 million transfer from RB Leipzig, Josko Gvardiol was outdone by En-Nesyri, who directed a robust header into the web from Marcos Acuna’s cross.
Metropolis’s sluggishness continued into the second half, evident as Lucas Ocampos eluded Kyle Walker’s determined deal with to arrange En-Nesyri with a golden alternative to double Sevilla’s lead.
But, En-Nesyri squandered the possibility, capturing straight at Ederson’s legs when one-on-one with the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Sevilla’s missed probability got here again to hang-out them, as Metropolis responded towards the move of the sport within the 63rd minute.
Riyad Mahrez’s departure paved the way in which for Metropolis academy graduate Cole Palmer, who embraced his first-team alternative. The England under-21 worldwide, who had beforehand netted towards Arsenal within the Group Protect, capitalized on Rodri’s pinpoint cross with a deft header previous Bounou.
En-Nesyri’s profligacy was evident once more as he didn’t convert one other one-on-one, with Ederson making an important block.
Erling Haaland, a constant scorer towards Sevilla in previous encounters, discovered minimal alternatives earlier than the shootout.
Metropolis’s closest probability to safe victory inside common time got here by way of Ake’s downward header, however it was tipped over.
The shootout supplied the climax, with Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish, and Walker all changing their penalties to present Metropolis the sting.
(AI picture)