Manchester City - Sevilla live online: summary, stats and highlights, Champions League 2022/23
Manchester City - Sevilla: as it happened
FT: Manchester City 3-1 Sevilla
So, in the end, the solid Sevilla start wasn't enough to see them pick up points at the Etihad. Silly losses of possession at the back are a risk factor when you play the way Sampaoli wants and a team like Manchester City are always going to know how to pick you off.
Kevin De Bruyne's substitute was the turning point in a game that had just started to flow in City's favour and in the end, it was a beautiful day for Guardiola's side. Julián Álvarez was the subject of conversation in the days building up to the game given Haaland's absence and I think he definitely quietened the naysayers.
Strong performances also for the young players, especially Rico Lewis, who will be having a sleepless night as he relives over and over again his first goal for the club.
Definitely some green shoots for Sevilla and Sampaoli must be pleased with how his team created danger, especially in the first half. The Derbi is up next for them on Sunday, so all focus must now switch to that.
OK, everyone, that's all from me for tonight! Head over to AS English to see the full-time reaction from Pep!
Thanks for sticking around, it was great fun and I'll be back soon!
Chao!
PSG, you say?
Well, would you look at that. PSG finish SECOND after Benfica score SIX (the last in the last minute!) and the group break is decided on the 6th tiebreaker: away goals scored
And then there were 16
Here are the last 16 teams in the Champions League.
Who do you want to see in the next round for City?
Let us know on Twitter @English_AS
Here you go, naysayers...
Julián Álvarez has joined a certain Lionel Messi already in UCL stats.
Aaaaaaaand that's all for tonight!
Full time: Manchester City 3-1 Sevilla
Delaney over the bar! The goalkeeper had spilled a shot and the midfielder was closest to it, but he blew his chance.
Foden ran up the other end and forced a good save from Bono.
3 added on.
CHANCE!
City earn a corner and Telles is down (again) winded. Cancelo thumped the ball from close range into his ribs.
The corner is taken and it finds Bernardo Silva on the left. He swirls a cross in and the header is caught by Bono, close to the edge of the goal.
City sub:
Off: Rico Lewis
On: Cancelo
Not a bad player to have for the last five minutes.
Álvarez wins the ball off the Sevilla centre-back, Carmona.
He plays it square to Mahrez who takes advantage of the Sevilla defence being all over the shop and bends a shot into the top-right corner in typical Mahrez fashion.
Great pressing from City and especially Álvarez, who has had a much-improved second half. His movement has been more decisive and he has taken advantage of almost everything that has come his way. Yes, it's true that having KDB helps a lot, but he has shown a lot of qualities to make City fans excited.
GOOOAAALLLLLLL MAHREZ
City are back to normal City, thanks to those changes. The press is ultra-high, the passing is crisp and direct and Sevilla, in all honesty, look a bit shellshocked right now.
City with calm control here, working it well, trying to tempt Sevilla into pouncing and breaking their shape.
GOOOOALLLL!!! ÁLVAREZ
So much quality and awareness here from the Argentinian. DeBruyne's fantastic pass from the right takes advantage of Sevilla's high line. The ball sweeps over everyone to the left side where Álvarez takes control of it, takes on Bono with some lovely touches and thwacks it into the net.
The pass was typical KDB gorgeousness - a flat, early cross that only Julián Álvarez was able to reach and I think the striker has silenced his critics there. The touch past Bono was just the sweetest thing. Lovely.
The game seems to have settled into the expected pattern of City's dominance of the ball mixed with Sevilla direct attacks that get shrouded out by the home counter-press. A night of running. Running to stand still, you might say.
Here he comes:
On: DeBruyne and Wilson-Esbrand
Off: Gómez and Palmer
Kevin De Bruyne is warming up.
The City bench sit there with a knowing look on their faces. Here he comes.
Sevilla sub:
Off: Rakitic (who's limping slightly)
On: Jordán
City poking and probing but not getting through as of yet.
Joan Jordan is getting ready to come on.
Chance!
A fantastic pass from Lamela sent Rafa Mir through but he blasted it high and wide. A missed opportunity but we've seen what Sampaoli was thinking with the change for Isco.
Sevilla with some possession now. However, unlike in the first half, City are not allowing them to have it in any area of the pitch.
City have definitely upped the tempo but Sevilla are hanging on and breaking well from time to time. The Etihad continues to support the team with a range of songs.
Bono does well to come out and collect an early cross from Álvarez. No, I'm not going to make a pun.
Subs for both sides:
City
Off: Gundogan
On: Bernardo Silva
Sevilla
Off: Isco
On: Lamela
Fantastic work from Montiel who slides in dangerously to recover the ball after Mahrez had gotten away.
WOW! SO CLOSE FROM CITY!
Ruben Dias gets on the end of a Phil Foden corner and hits the bar. Bono flaps it away.
GOOOOOAALLLL CITY!
LEWIS!
And the lad looks rightly delighted. Great work from Álvarez after Telles gives away the ball on the edge of the box. The Argentinian slips Lewis behind and he smacks a shot past Bono. A beautiful day for him.
Sergio Gómez with one of those shots that makes us all think we can be professional footballers. Lewis did well down the right and the left-back swung a wild boot at the ball. Saw his name in lights before he hit it.
Telles down with some discomfort. Looks like he's OK to carry on.
Bernardo Silva, Cancelo and Aké all warming up.
Sampaoli has lost his hat.
A cross in from Mahrez meets Carmona who heads away. Better from City. Sevilla immediately drop into a deep 5-4-1, with Suso up top for now.
Rafa Mir isn't leaving Sergio Gómez alone for one second.
City flicking the ball to each other with a bit more intent now. Big switches of play both ways in the first minute.
Subs!
City: Rodri on for Grealish
Sevilla: Telles and Suso on for Acuña and Papu
Peeeep! Here we go again!
The teams are back out now. Ready to go again!
Rodri is out warming up...
We missed this due to the high-octane action in the first half: Pep's changed into a hood.
Can always rely on Richard Jolly to come up with the goods. Top man.
Oh, there's more football on?
Here are the scores so far. The best moment, since UEFA have asked, if definitely that Rafa Mir header - or was it our Sampaoli hat chat?
Well, well, well.
City started well, trying to control possession from the first minute. They were finding Grealish and Foden before Sevilla tightened their block and completely cut off any supply lines between the attack and defence of the home team.
Sampaoli's side have defended brilliantly but have also been brave in attack, and we have seen incredibly risky passes from Bono who is playing as a third centre-back in build-up phases. The goal came after great work from Rafa Mir, who's been a first-class nuisance for the City defence and his header was well worked and much-deserved.
Let's see how things play ouit in the second half.
Ah, no time for it! The referee blows for half time.
Corner to City after good work again from Gómez.
Sergio Gómez makes up for him perhaps being the weak link in City's defensive block by having a shot from distance. Flies wide.
2 minutes added (but it might end up being more given the injury)
Marcão off
Gudelj on
Marcão on the floor, asking to be subbed. Feeling his hamstring. Ouch.
Yep, he stretched it while trying to lunge for a loose ball.
Shot from Grealish well blocked after a nice ball over the top from Cole Palmer. City with a bit more attacking intent now, despite still finding it difficult to locate their midfielders.
Álvarez has struggled, can't remember him being involved so far.
Chance! City! The team respond to the fans.
Bono fails to reach a cross and the ball pings around inside the box. Sevilla manage to clear it.
The Etihad Stadium shouts for more from their team - and Guardiola too. Not a happy camp so far and that is thanks to good work from Sevilla.
Rakitic limping now after Laporte smashes into him. That was late but he seems to have gotten away with it.
Sevilla break away down City's left (again). Rafa Mir judged to be offside and the referee halts play.
City pressing well but Sevilla are, for now, playing around it. They also seem comfortable to sit off Guardiola's side as they tap it between their defenders. A performance they needed (for now).
I refuse to apologise for the U2 puns.
Sevilla continue with the risky passing from the back. Bono doing well so far. Seriously, he's playing so high up. Hope he doesn't get vertigo.
GOOOOOOLLL!!! Sevilla take the lead!
Great work from the striker gave Sevilla a corner.
Isco whips it in and Rafa is on his own at the back post to send a looping header into the net. His first goal in Europe this season.
Bono again playing about 20 yards outside his area. Scary viewing.
Eek! Huge chance for Gundogan!
Bono's risky passes nearly sees him concede after he slips when passing the ball out. Foden plays in Gundogan who smacks the side of the netting from a few yards out.
City resort to couple of speculative crosses after patient work. Sevilla clear them with no problems.
Sevilla's 5-4-1 in defence working reasonably well so far. City's inside midfielders having to work hard to get the ball and then progress it to the wingers.
Chance for Sevilla!
Bono happy to be stood way outside his box as he taps it around between his centre-back friends.
He then gets bored, smacks it long to Acuña and Rafa Mir heads the cross wide.
Sampaoli not happy seeing that chance missed.
Lewis with a half chance after a corner comes to him. The right-back absolutely thunders one towards goal but it hits a fan instead of the back of the net.
SEVILLA CHANCE!
Ortega Moreno saves a Rafa Mir shot that was hit low. Another small chance down City's left for the away team. Let's keep an eye on that side.
Chance for City!
Foden plays it to Grealish who runs 20 yards down the wing, into the box. He gives it back to Foden who shoots at Bono.
Chance! The free kick comes in and Dias heads just wide.
Well, having just seen a replay, it actually hits him on the thigh. That was a close one, as Rafa Mir had left him on his own in the box.
Foul from Montiel on Foden. City free kick out wide.
Sevilla with some possession now, playing dangerous passes around the back. Bono with some risky balls into the midfielders. Mysterious ways.
Good work out wide means Ortega Moreno gets his first touch. Bless him, he's going to be freezing tonight.
Guardiola is not wearing a hat. The rain is bouncing off his head. All he has for protection is a mixture of a cardigan and a coat.
City switching from right to left and back again, trying to pull Sevilla around and unweave their tightly knit defensive block.
The away side snatch a loose ball and try to break, but the home side pounce and win it back. There's a pattern developing here.
Grealish brought down (ticks bingo card) and City have a free kick on the left wing.
Caught by Bono.
Controlled possession for City now. Sevilla happy for the defenders to have it as they hold off.
The home side edge closer and closer...
Chance! City's Palmer puts one wide after Bono plays a terrible pass to Álvarez. Didn't find what he was looking for.
Sampaoli hat alarm! Double hood and a hat for the Sevilla boss.
Sevilla get away down the right channel as Papu puts Rafa Mir through, but it runs out for a goal kick
And we're off!
Man City playing from left to right;Sevilla kick us off in all black kit that looks absolutely delightful.
The teams are on their way out of the tunnel. Sampaoli is without a hat, for now.
Champions League anthem time!
Here comes the pre-match light show... it's like I'm at a Pink Floyd concert
Ten to go!
Players inside now for the final team talk before kick-off.
If you've just joined us from my good friend Roddy's feed, the team news is as follows:
City XI: Ortega Moreno; Lewis, Dias, Laporte, Gómez; Gundogan, Palmer, Foden; Mahrez, Grealish, Álvarez.
Sevilla XI: Bono; Montiel, Marcão, Rekik, Acuña; José Ángel, Delaney, Rakitic, Papu, Isco; Rafa Mir
Time to jump around!
Sevilla currently out on the pitch for their final warm-up before the match begins.
Man City have just joined them.
Half an hour to go and it's quite frankly a dreadful night in Manchester, the rain is thundering down *surprised face*.
Let's hope Sampaoli has brought his hat.
Man City already group winners for the sixth successive season. It will be very interesting to see if any of Guardiola's experiments work today.
Lots of young players looking to make their mark, Cole Palmer especially. Keep an eye on him.
Who's the ref?
Tonight's person with the whistle is Israeli Orel Grinfeld. What a fantastic name.
The 41 year-old oversaw Madrid's 1-1 draw versus Shakktar a few weeks ago.
But that's not the score right now at the Bernabéu. Go have a look.
Meanwhile, this curious weather phenomenon seems to be holding up. Very strange...
Ten pounds to the person who spots the first northerner in the crowd wearing just a t-shirt.
Someone's scored in that game (as seems to always happen just as I post an update), but I'm not telling you who it was. Go find out.
One hour to go...
Not long before our game kicks off. Meanwhile, Asensio has just put Real Madrid 3-0 up. Follow the action here.
Man City XI:
And here is how City line-up:
Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Dias, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan, Palmer, Foden, Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez.
The team news is in!
Here's Sampaoli's XI for tonight:
Bono; Montiel, Marcão, Rekik, Acuña; José Ángel, Delaney, Rakitic, Papu, Isco; Rafa Mir
Come and say hello!
Make sure to hit us up on Twitter, we're at @English_AS if you want to tell us your thoughts on the game.
I will respond, I promise.
Messi's Copa América speech
Here's some reading before we get on with more preview material: Messi's last words before the Copa América Final.
It's a cracking speech - ever thought of a career in politics, Lionel?
Whistle blown in Madrid
Half time at the Bernabéu and Real Madrid are currently 2-0 up. Modric and Rodrygo each with one goal from the penalty spot after two handballs calls against Celtic.
Maybe Ancelotti should complain a bit more (he was insufferable in yesterday's presser).
What to expect from the game
Basically, for City to have the ball. They have the highest average possession in this season's USL: 65% (Sevilla have 53%).
For Sevilla to look to press: Sampaoli's sides always play an intense style out of possession so expectthem to at least try to use a high press to contain City. Another thing is whether it works or not.
Rain? Are you serious?
If you've never been to Manchester - or any part of the UK for that matter - this is a very uncommon thing to happen.
It almost never rains in the north-west of England. This must be some sort of ploy to confuse the Spanish side.
Are we in for some more Isco magic?
Let's hope the Malagueño gives us one of these tonight, which would be lovely.
Real Madrid are currently playing their final group game vs Celtic.
We've got Roddy covering it tonight, so be sure to check it out here.
Guardiola isn't short of strikers...
The City boss got in a bit of a grumble when one journalist questioned Julián Álvarez's goal record in England. Quite right, Pep.
Goals goals goals (from someone called Erling)
City, on the other hand, have a slightly more impressive record, losing only one game in all competitions (versus Liverpool) but have found themselves a bit flat in their recent UCL games, with two consecutive 0-0 draws.
After scoring 35 goals in their first 9 matches (which by my maths is around 4 per game), they have *only* scored 4 goals in their most recent five games; let’s see if Sevilla can capitalise on this “dry spell” for City.
Sevilla have had it tough so far...
Jorge Sampaoli’s side come into this game third in Group G and 18th in La Liga after only being able to win 3 (yes, three) games in all competitions this season (against Copenhagen, Espanyol and Mallorca). They are also yet to win at home in the league. It’s November.
Team news:
For the home side, Kyle Walker (groin), Kalvin Phillips (shoulder) and a player called Erling Haaland (who?) will be missing.
Sevilla’s injury list doesn’t make for pretty reading either: Jesús Corona (ankle), Fernando (illness), Tanguy Nianzou (thigh) and Óliver Torres (not in squad) will all be out for the game.
Hello hello hello!
Hello everyone and welcome to the Diario AS English live feed of Manchester City vs Sevilla.
It’s Joe here and I’ll be talking you through the game tonight.
There’s nothing concrete on the line in tonight’s match but that’s not to say it isn’t shaping up to be a cracker. City are without a few big hitters and so are Sevilla, so we can look forward to watching some players who we otherwise wouldn't normally see.