Sevilla were close to success.
Problems with creativity
It seems that the first half of the match between Manchester City and Sevilla showed the problem that could be the key for Josep Guardiola’s team in determining the success of the season that has begun. This is a matter of creation. We have not already seen the most successful duel with Arsenal in the FA Super Cup. But there it could be attributed to the complexity of Guardiola’s preparation, as well as the greater experience of the “gunners” in confrontation with the “citizens”.
Now Sevilla looked quite standard for themselves. However, City have appeared in form that will be seen more and more in the new season. Without De Bruyne, without Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, Guardiola’s team sorely lacked in sharpening the action and creativity. The appearance of Foden and Palmer in the starting XI certainly satisfied the Manchester supporters, but their actions didn’t look perfect and safe. Namely, the previously mentioned trio taught such.
Probably the calculation was on Grealish’s dribbling and ability, as well as on the form of Rodri, who knows how to connect to the attack at a critical moment and create sharpness. But this requires the creation of such a moment. Let’s just say it doesn’t occur by default. And a pair of Kovacic with Rodri in center field looked more like a heavy punch, and not a light creative thinker. Other forwards worked as if they were separate from each other.
Last season, Grealish himself did a lot to stop ridiculing him. However, it still sometimes causes quite affection and a certain sense of embarrassment when he unsuccessfully tries to “swing” a couple of opponents again and again. Realizing the seriousness of the threat, opponents will surely organize a defense against Jack with a safety net. And it often works. Like Sevilla this time.
Under such conditions, great and terrible Holland found itself cut off from the rest of society. Therefore, in the first half, he did not deliver a single blow to someone else’s goal. Whereas all the attacks of “Seville” were carried out by both main strikers – Lamela and En-Neseri. Two each.
We need to talk a little bit about statistics here. In the first half, he was predictably in favor of City, who hit nine out of four shots, hit the target three times, while Sevilla only did it once. The “Manchester” ball possessed more than 72 percent of the time, and the accuracy of the pass exceeded 90 percent. Classic figures for Guardiola’s team. But not a classic result.
A single “Seville” sortie was enough for her to take command. The combination of Ake and Akanji in City’s central defense proved unreliable. In the episode with the goal of En-Neseri, who scored from Acuña’s deposit, Guardiol was paired with the central defender of the “citizens”. And both on the goalkeeper’s line lost the battle against an experienced striker. So the first half ended statistically in City’s favour, but in terms of play and scoring they remained at Sevilla, who were at ease.
Aggravation and Disclosure
At the same time, for much of the first half, both teams worked in a more cautious and more closed-in fashion. The game began to develop differently after the break, as double-edged open kick segments began to appear. We must pay tribute to Sevilla, who did not pamper themselves and did not shrink before the match only on the counterattack.
The Spaniards bravely responded with their pressure segments to the pressure of the “City”. Although it is worth noting that the “citizens” of such segments looked longer and sharper. In the second half, Guardiola’s team had the same percentage of ball possession, but a more hysterical and dynamic football led to a decrease in passing accuracy. At City it’s down to 88 percent and at Sevilla it’s down to 74. But the main difference is in sharpness. Manchester made 14 shots to the Spaniards’ four. Let the latter strike more precisely – three times on goal against four precise shots from City.
Here, by the way, the only blow from Holland also got in the way. The incredible Norwegian has only shot once a game on someone else’s goal. In the threat deterrence component, Sevilla can be satisfied with themselves. As well as in general in the construction of the game. An episodic creative from Manchester could confuse you. Instead of the successfully held Grealish, Rodri suddenly appeared on the left flank of the attack by the British, who is usually more famous for long-range shots and dashes in the central zone. And then he took advantage of the fact that nobody “dismantled” him on the wing, and from there he gave an excellent serve at the far post. The point is precisely in the field, which skillfully cut off the defender who was guarding Palmer. Cole, on the other hand, did what he was taught from an early age and headed the ball into the goal skillfully into the goalkeeper’s shot.
With equal scores, none of the teams were nervous and were not afraid of making a mistake, which is very important. The state of the tournament has left its mark here. Still tied to the Super Bowl Uefa not as reverent as even the Europa League final, let alone the Champions League final. Thus, opponents approached the value of errors more simply. Mutual dangerous attacks cheered up the final game and could turn it into a victory for any team. But it went to penalties.
This trophy draw can be treated differently. Someone confidently calls this aspect of the game a lottery, where everything depends on luck. Someone is sure that this is part of the game, and therefore naturally shows one side of the skill. Even in this particular episode, there was an episode where the ball bounced off Bunu’s hand under him on goal. Someone will call City luck and someone will call the goalkeeper a lack, albeit minimal, of equipment. Yes, and hitting Gudel’s crossbar, which predetermined the outcome of the confrontation. After all, this is both the batsman’s bad luck and his lack of technique.
In any case, the result of this game is even secondary. Rather, we can conclude that Sevilla remain themselves, and City have to think a lot about creativity, because now there is a clear lack of “bullets” in the team. At least for this game.
