When you think of European royalty, you think of Sevilla FC. They own the Europa League. It's their backyard. But every time they run into the sky-blue wall of Manchester City, things go south. Fast. Honestly, it's one of those weird footballing hexes where a team that scares the life out of Manchester United and Liverpool suddenly looks ordinary.
The history of Sevilla FC vs Manchester City isn't exactly a long, storied rivalry from the 1950s. It’s a modern clash of styles. On one side, you have the scrappy, "never say die" spirit of Andalusia. On the other, the relentless, machine-like precision of Pep Guardiola’s tactical genius.
If you look at the raw numbers, it’s pretty brutal for the Spaniards. They’ve played five competitive matches. City has won four of them in regulation. The fifth? A draw that City eventually won on penalties to lift the 2023 UEFA Super Cup.
Basically, Sevilla is still looking for their first "real" win against the Citizens.
The Night in Athens: That 2023 Super Cup Drama
The most recent chapter of Sevilla FC vs Manchester City was probably the most competitive. It happened in August 2023 at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece. Most people expected City to steamroll them. They didn't.
Sevilla actually took the lead. Youssef En-Nesyri—who is a monster in the air, by the way—thumped home a header in the 25th minute. He made Nathan Aké and Josko Gvardiol look like statues. For a good chunk of that game, Sevilla had City on the ropes. En-Nesyri had two or three more massive chances to bury the game, but Ederson did what Ederson does.
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Then came Cole Palmer.
Before he moved to Chelsea and became the "Cold Palmer" everyone knows now, he was the kid bailing City out in Europe. His looping header in the 63rd minute leveled it. The game went straight to penalties. Nemanja Gudelj was the unlucky soul who rattled the crossbar, handing City a 5-4 shootout win and their first-ever Super Cup.
Why Sevilla FC vs Manchester City Usually Ends in a Blue Rout
While the Super Cup was close, the 2022/23 Champions League group stages were... not.
City went to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in September 2022 and just dismantled them. 4-0. Erling Haaland scored twice because, well, that's his job. Phil Foden and Rúben Dias added the others. It was one of those nights where the Sevilla fans, usually the loudest in Spain, were just sort of stunned into silence.
The return leg at the Etihad ended 3-1. Interestingly, Sevilla scored first in that one too, thanks to Rafa Mir. But City’s depth is just a different animal. A young Rico Lewis scored his first senior goal, and Julian Álvarez and Riyad Mahrez put the game to bed.
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What’s the common thread here?
- Tactical Fatigue: Sevilla plays with a high intensity that works in La Liga, but City moves the ball so quickly that Sevilla’s midfielders eventually just run out of gas.
- The Haaland Factor: Let’s be real. Sevilla’s center-backs have historically struggled with physical, direct strikers, and Haaland is the final boss of that category.
- Pep’s Knowledge: Guardiola knows Sevilla. He’s faced them 18 times as a manager. He’s won 13 of those. He isn't surprised by their "nervy" stadium atmosphere or their wing-play.
The "Old" Days: 2015 and the De Bruyne Winner
If you want to find the roots of this lopsided history, you have to go back to 2015. This was the first time Sevilla FC vs Manchester City became a thing.
Back then, Manuel Pellegrini was in charge of City. In the home leg, Sevilla was leading 1-0. Then Wilfried Bony (remember him?) forced an equalizer. It looked like a draw until the 91st minute. Kevin De Bruyne, in his debut season, cut inside and slotted a left-footed winner into the far corner.
That goal kind of set the tone for the next decade. Even when Sevilla plays well, City finds a way to break their hearts in the final moments.
All-Time Head-to-Head Stats
| Competition | Matches | Man City Wins | Sevilla Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions League | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 | 0* | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
City won the 2023 Super Cup on penalties, which technically counts as a draw in official 90-minute records.
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The Tactical Mismatch: Why is it so hard for Sevilla?
It’s tempting to say City is just richer and has better players. That’s true. But it’s deeper than that. Sevilla’s modern success is built on the Europa League—a competition where games are often chaotic, emotional, and end-to-end.
City hates chaos. They kill it.
When Sevilla tries to press City high, they get bypassed by Ederson’s long balls. When they sit deep, they get suffocated by 70% possession. It’s a "pick your poison" situation.
The only way Sevilla has ever looked good against them is by exploiting the space behind City’s high line on the counter-attack. Lucas Ocampos and Marcos Acuña have had success doing this, but you have to be clinical. If you miss your chances—like En-Nesyri did in Athens—City will eventually punish you.
What to Watch for in Future Meetings
If these two meet again in 2026 or beyond, don't expect the dynamic to change much unless Sevilla undergoes a massive tactical shift. They are currently a team in transition, moving away from the aging core of Ivan Rakitic and Jesús Navas.
For Sevilla to actually win a game in the Sevilla FC vs Manchester City series, they need:
- A world-class performance from their keeper. Whether it was Bounou in the past or whoever is between the sticks next, they need to make 6+ saves.
- Efficiency. You might only get three chances against City. You have to score two.
- Midfield Grit. You can't let Rodri dictate the tempo. If Rodri has a "quiet" game, Sevilla has a chance. If he’s orchestrating, it’s over.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
Check the injury reports carefully before these matchups. City’s dominance often relies on their "structural" players like Rodri or Stones. If they are missing, the gap closes significantly. Also, keep an eye on Sevilla’s home form; while City has won there recently, the Sánchez Pizjuán remains one of the most hostile environments in Europe and can provoke unforced errors from even the most disciplined teams.