With Manchester City and Sevilla both on three points after two games in the Champions League, their game on Wednesday puts both sides under extra pressure to secure victory at the Etihad. But who do City need to be wary of?
Sevilla found their way into this season’s Champions League thanks to a record fourth Europa League trophy. Considering the group they’re in, three points from games against Juventus and Borussia MG isn’t too shabby. Their league form however, has been quite the opposite.
After a fifth-placed finish in La Liga last season, no less than eight new players were brought in to further strengthen an already improving side, though some haven’t worked out as planned.
Last year’s hero Carlos Bacca left for Milan, so Unai Emery decided to bring in not one, not two but three attackers to fill the void. It is a familiar face that has been scoring goals (as rarely as they come) for Los Nervionenses, though. Kevin Gameiro has led the line in the majority of Sevilla’s games this season, and despite just two goals in eight games this season, he is Sevilla’s joint-top goalscorer this season.
Arguably the most impressive of the many new faces making their way to the Andalusian club this summer is midfielder Steven N’Zonzi. Although his very first game ended prematurely with the player receiving two yellow cards, N’Zonzi has recovered quickly to play a key role in Sevilla’s midfield alongside Grzegorz Krychowiak.
Krychowiak has become by far the most important player in the Sevilla side. While he doesn’t provide an incredible amount on the attack, defensively the side always look more comfortable with the Polish midfielder in the side.
Because of countless injuries in the Sevilla defence this season, Krychowiak has been forced to play a number of games at centre-back, and despite it not being a natural position, he adapted to the role and provided the same stability that he did in midfield.
While Sevilla aren’t always the best away from home, ruling them out of any tie before it has begun would be a big mistake. They are yet to win a game away from the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan this season, but did pull back a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona in the Super Cup.
A bonus for Sevilla is the absence of Sergio Aguero in the City side, who was ruled out for four weeks through injury. Despite that, City have the better squad when compared player to player and are heavy favourites for victory on Wednesday.
Manchester City are in fine form ahead of the tie, with 11 goals in their last two league games. Their record against Spanish teams in Europe isn’t the greatest though, with seven defeats in 12. Both sides will be fully aware of one another’s form, but City will have to avoid complacency if they want to make progress in the group, and this game is the place to start.
