UEFA Super Cup Preview: Manchester City’s Commitment in Doubt, Sevilla Eyes Revenge

The 2023 UEFA Super Cup final will be held at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. While both the city and the stadium may be unfamiliar to some, Piraeus serves as the main port city for Athens, effectively making this a final hosted in the Greek capital. The Karaiskakis Stadium, home to Olympiacos, the dominant force in Greek football, is set to host this showdown between Manchester City and Sevilla—two clubs with vastly different Super Cup histories.

For Manchester City, this is their first appearance in the UEFA Super Cup, having finally conquered the UEFA Champions League last season after years of near misses. In contrast, Sevilla, often referred to as the “Kings of the Europa League,” are making their seventh appearance in the Super Cup. However, despite their dominance in Europe’s second-tier competition, Sevilla has only lifted the Super Cup once, back in 2006, and have since fallen short five times against Champions League winners.

Manchester City’s Journey to the Super Cup

Manchester City’s road to European glory last season was marked by a pragmatic and efficient approach. Unlike previous campaigns where they were often criticized for prioritizing style over substance, Pep Guardiola's side adopted a more conservative game plan, focusing solely on progression rather than public perception.

One notable example of this shift came during their group-stage match against Copenhagen. Despite the hype surrounding Erling Haaland, Guardiola benched the prolific striker for the entire 90 minutes, confident that his side could navigate the fixture without their star player. This decision resulted in a frustrating 0-0 draw, leaving City with just five points after three matches and facing an uncertain path to the knockout stage. However, a strong second half of the group phase saw them secure top spot, with Haaland scoring in each of the final three group games to establish himself as the tournament's leading scorer.

In the knockout stages, City maintained their methodical approach. They navigated the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals with a consistent pattern of winning at home and drawing away. The highlight of their campaign came in the Round of 16 second leg against RB Leipzig, where Haaland scored five goals in under an hour. Despite the opportunity to break Lionel Messi’s record for most goals in a single Champions League match, Guardiola substituted him, citing the need to "protect" the Norwegian striker.

City's route to the final included victories over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid—both regarded as European powerhouses. Yet, as the quality of opposition increased, Haaland's goal-scoring output diminished, leading to renewed criticism of his performances in high-stakes matches.

In the final against Inter Milan, Manchester City appeared uncharacteristically nervous, struggling to impose their usual dominance. Inter, however, were equally tentative, with Lautaro Martínez missing a clear one-on-one chance and Romelu Lukaku once again enduring a nightmarish outing in front of goal. In the end, City capitalized on Inter’s mistakes and secured a 1-0 victory to lift their first Champions League trophy.

Sevilla’s Europa League Mastery

Unlike City, Sevilla’s path to the UEFA Super Cup was built on their unrivaled prowess in the Europa League. After finishing third in their Champions League group, a familiar fate for the Andalusian club, Sevilla once again dropped into the Europa League knockout stages. Despite facing Champions League-caliber opponents like Juventus and Manchester United, Sevilla showcased their psychological edge in the competition, navigating through tense encounters with composure and resilience.

Their Europa League final opponent, AS Roma, presented another formidable challenge. Under José Mourinho, Roma had established themselves as a tough, defensive unit. However, Sevilla’s experience and emotional stability gave them the upper hand. Even after falling behind, they maintained their composure, eventually equalizing and pushing the game to a penalty shootout. In the decisive moments, Sevilla remained calm, while Roma’s players and staff appeared on the brink of emotional collapse. Sevilla emerged victorious, adding yet another Europa League title to their collection.

Head-to-Head: A Clash of Styles

Manchester City and Sevilla are no strangers to each other, having met in the group stage of last season's Champions League. City emerged victorious in both encounters, making Sevilla the only team in the group to suffer a double defeat at the hands of Guardiola’s men. However, those defeats also opened the door for Sevilla to drop into the Europa League—a path that ultimately led them to this Super Cup showdown.

For Sevilla, the Super Cup offers a chance for revenge. They will be eager to prove that they can compete with Europe’s elite and will draw confidence from their vast experience in high-pressure finals.

Key Factors for Manchester City

One of the biggest questions surrounding Manchester City is their attitude toward the Super Cup. Historically, City has not placed significant importance on equivalent domestic competitions like the Community Shield. Guardiola often uses such matches to rotate his squad and test tactical variations, rather than fielding his strongest lineup.

The absence of key players could also impact City’s performance. While Haaland is expected to start, Guardiola may rest other important players, especially with the Premier League season already underway. Additionally, City’s lack of experience in the Super Cup could work against them, as Sevilla is far more familiar with the unique demands of this one-off European final.

Another concern for City is their defensive stability. While their backline held firm against Inter in the Champions League final, Sevilla’s counter-attacking prowess could exploit any lapses in concentration. Players like Youssef En-Nesyri and Lucas Ocampos possess the speed and technical ability to trouble City’s defense, especially in transition.

Sevilla’s Path to Victory

For Sevilla, success will hinge on their ability to frustrate Manchester City and capitalize on set-piece opportunities. Unlike City, Sevilla thrives in situations where they are considered the underdog, and their ability to absorb pressure and strike on the counter could prove decisive.

Midfield control will also be crucial. If Sevilla can disrupt City’s passing rhythm and limit the influence of playmakers like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, they will have a much better chance of containing Haaland and keeping the game within reach.

Defensively, Sevilla’s backline must remain compact and disciplined. City’s attacking movements, particularly their overlapping full-backs and late runs from midfield, will require constant vigilance. Sevilla's ability to defend as a cohesive unit and maintain their composure under pressure will be critical.

Prediction: Sevilla’s Experience to Prevail

While Manchester City enters the Super Cup as the clear favorite, their attitude toward the competition remains uncertain. Sevilla, on the other hand, views this as an opportunity to assert their status as one of Europe’s most resilient and experienced teams.

Given Sevilla’s familiarity with the Super Cup and their proven track record in European finals, they may have a psychological edge over a City side still adjusting to life as Champions League winners. With both teams likely to adopt cautious approaches, Sevilla’s experience could make the difference in a tightly contested match. A 1-0 victory for Sevilla, secured through a moment of set-piece brilliance or a late counter-attack, is a plausible outcome.