(Manchester City-Sevilla 1–1, 5–4 on penalties) Pep Guardiola (52) was in a heated debate with Erling Braut Haaland (23) at the league premiere. After Manchester City’s Super Cup final victory over Sevilla on Wednesday, the Norwegian coach was kissed on the cheek by the same City manager.
Of course Haaland definitely scored from the penalty spot. Before that, the Spanish team had effectively nullified the Norwegian top scorer for 90 minutes (no extra time was played).
After Manchester City collected the trophy and walked to their supporters to celebrate, Guardiola walked up to Haaland and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
The episode between the City manager and Haaland during the break in the opening game of the series against Burnley has received a lot of attention.
The kiss in Piraeus on Wednesday night may have been a response to that episode.
They both want to win and develop for each award. Then it can be discussed whether to do it in public or in the dressing room, says father Alfie Haaland to TV 2 about what happened against Burnley.
Watch the situation here:
The Norwegian scored the first penalty against Sevilla and then enthusiastically followed his team mates. Five City players scored, while the fifth Sevilla player, Nemanja Godelli, hit the crossbar.
– I don’t like being penalized, because I don’t like disappointing people. I wanted to show leadership, and luckily the ball went in, says Kyle Walker – who scored as low as possible from the penalty spot, City’s fifth.
Manchester City chased after their first title in 2023/2024 after losing to Arsenal in the Community Shield match.
It’s not fun losing on penalties like we did against Arsenal. It’s good to come here and win,” City’s top scorer Cole Palmer told TNT Sports.
– It was hot and humid. It was nice to have a chat with the manager during the break. We changed a few things, Jack Grealish tells TNT Sports.
The summer signing, Juskevu Gvardiol (21), made his Manchester City debut. The Croatian and fellow central defender Manuel Akanji were smashed in the air by Youssef En-Nesyri to put Sevilla ahead 1-0 after 25 minutes of play.
Just over half an hour later, Sevilla goalkeeper Loïc Badé had to resort to all means to stop Erling Braut Haaland, who was at full speed. The Frenchman escaped with a yellow card. Haaland seemed to think the color should have been different.
Sevilla’s defense managed to finish off Haaland long before the break – and it could look as if the Spanish club were starting to come into the spotlight at the end of the first half.
But it was Sevilla who were the latest after the break. Youssef En-Nesyri was so close to making it 2-0 when he had the chance to score an almost empty goal – but City goalkeeper Ederson made a superb save. The Moroccan should have scored his second goal of the evening there.
Kevin De Bruyne got injured against Burnley and, according to Pep Guardiola, will be out for a long time. Manchester City clearly missed the Belgian. Sevilla were good on the counter attack and created great chances.
But after just over an hour of play, the score was 1-1. The defenders of Seville focused on Erling Braut Haaland, the mighty Rodri’s cross went over the Norwegian and Cole Palmer, who headed in.
Manchester City had possession of the ball more than 70 percent of the time and eventually became a pure cannonball against Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Jesus Navas, the former City player, fought hard (37), but after the 83rd minute he had to say thank you and leave the field.
Sevilla were pushed closer to their own goal, Nathan Ake got a great chance – but Bono saved a corner kick, and Sevilla were awarded a penalty.
– The city was nowhere near its best, says TV 2 expert Simen Stamsø-Møller.
The Super Cup final has been played since 1973. The Champions League winner and last season’s Europa League winner meet there. Manchester City was in its first Super Cup final, and thus also won its first victory.
Pep Guardiola had previously won the Super Cup with Barcelona as a player and with both Barcelona (twice) and Bayern Munich as a coach. He has now won the Super Cup for three different clubs.
Erling Braut Haaland started the season with two goals in the series premiere against Burnley last Friday (3-0).
– There was a slightly shorter recharge this season due to the Champions League final and a short vacation, Father Alfie Haaland tells TV2.
Maybe it has to do with playing in form in the early part of the season. Then, in the second part to be determined, Haaland Fr.
Note: The last time the European champions won the Super Cup was in 2018 when Atletico Madrid won the file against Real Madrid.
“Infuriatingly humble internet trailblazer. Twitter buff. Beer nerd. Bacon scholar. Coffee practitioner.”
