CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NIGHT: ROUND OF 16 MANCHESTER UNITED VS SEVILLA

With the match beautifully poised at 0-0, after Manchester United earned a draw during their visit to Spain some weeks ago where David De Gea was undoubtedly the star of that show. Sevilla came into this match with a slight advantage of not conceding an away goal to Manchester United. But Manchester were still favourites at the theatre of dreams, needing nothing but a win no matter the final score line to secure qualification to the Quarter final

Both managers went with a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The home team with De Gea (GK); Valencia (RB), Smalling (CB), Bailly (CB), Young (LB); Fellaini (CDM), Matic (CDM); Lingard (RW), Alexis (CAM), Rashford (LW); Lukaku (CF).

The away team with Rico (GK); Mercado (RB), Kjær (CB), Lenglet (CB), Escudero (LB); Nzonzi (CDM), Banega (CDM); Sarabia (RW), Vazquez (CAM), Correa (LW); Muriel (CF).

The first 45 minutes had quite a number of feisty moments, especially towards the end. Manchester United came attacking right from the start as was expected but Sevilla were quite comfortable and confident on the ball as well, having about 61% of possession in the first 15 minutes.
United had some chances already in the first 5 minutes, most notable was Lukaku's which was high and wide early after a smart one-two with Lingard. The striker was lurking with intent few moments after when Lingard once again put in a delicious cross but Lenglet timely intervened.
The first and only card of the half went to Banega for a bad tackle on Alexis. He probably would've seen red another day. Rashford testing Rico with a stinging shot from the resulting freekick from long range.
Not many chances followed with Sevilla lunging on a 14th minute mistake by Bailly but failing to capitalise.
Well into 20 minutes Lukaku was put in by a lob from Rashford but failed to control after Lenglet's obstruction.
The best chance of the first half was probably when Fellaini was put through after a clever one-two with Alexis in the 38th minute. It was Fellaini who had won the ball back strongly near the Sevilla area. Fellaini's left footed shot testing Rico but he was equal to it.
Sevilla couldn't get into the United area for most parts of the half which lead to most of their shots coming from outside the area. Banega and Nzonzi amongst the players shooting high or wide or in some cases both.
Sevilla showed Spanish sides are indeed more technically oriented compared to their English counterparts with Nzonzi and Banega controlling the flow in the middle of the field. Nzonzi particularly very impressive and never put in a wrong foot. His only fault of the half was his wayward shot.

The second half began with much intensity again. And within 2 minutes of the half an amazingly timed Bailly slide tackle was required to deny a very hesitant Correa who had found himself in a lot of space and with alot of time.
Soon after in the 51st minute it was Lingard who had his effort saved by Rico after some brilliant play by Lukaku to set him up. Correa went close moments later. The game was almost end to end at this point.
Lenglet resolutely blocked a shot from Alexis which set his team up to counter attack but Bailly once again was on hand to thwart Sevilla, forcing Muriel to poke out for a goalkick.
Moments before Fellaini was substituted in the 60th minute for Paul Pogba, he had a chance from about 20 wards but shot wide off the mark.
Both teams were solid defensively and it was De Gea who came out quickly to collect a cross across the face of goal with Muriel looking to pounce around the 70th minute. Moments later Pogba had a decent left-footed strike from long range which was wide off the far post.

In the 72nd minute, Ben Yedder who would prove to be the match winner, the super sub was brought on for striker Muriel. He showed his intent immediately, trying to lunge on a clever lobbed pass. In the 74th minute, with what was probably his first or second touch since coming on, Yedder was picked out in acres of space by Sarabia who himself had been found by a lovely pass from Banega. Yedder nimbly took the ball past Bailly to set himself up for a shot. And Sevilla were in the lead with about 15 minutes of regular time to go!
Jose Mourinho responded with an understandable double change. Bringing on Anthony Martial and Juan Mata for Lingard and Valencia respectively.
Sevilla were at it again moments later in the 78th minute. Yedder again nodding home after Correa took advantage of some poor defending of a set piece. De Gea tried to keep it out but could only palm it back into his own net. The official by the goal post confirming the ball indeed had crossed the line. Yedder rightly receiving a yellow for taking his shirt off to jubilate. But it was a yellow card worth it!
Yedder had chances to grab his hattrick on multiple occasions but couldn't capitalise. His last chance saved by the legs of De Gea as his tried to slip it through the goalkeepers legs in added time.
Manchester United however weren't beaten quite yet. They attacked and were duly rewarded. Lukaku scoring in the 84th minute after he was denied about a minute earlier. Rashford providing the assist. They continued to attack but there was to be no goals in "fregie time" to rescue the red devils on the night.
Sevilla made two more substitutions to wear the clock down and also give their valiant troops a breather. Pizzaro replaced Vazquez in the 88th minute and Geis, Correa who was received by applause from the away section of fans in the 89th minute.
Sevilla held on for what is without a shred of doubt a historic win at the theatre of dreams.

Match ratings
Manchester United:
De Gea - 6.0
Valencia - 6.5
Bailly- 6
Smalling - 5.5
Young - 6.5
Fellaini - 6.0
Matic - 6.5
Rashford - 7
Lingard- 6.5
Alexis - 7.5
Lukaku - 8.0
Subs: Pogba, Mata, Martial - All 6.0

Sevilla:
Rico - 6.5
Mercado - 6.5
Kjær - 7
Lenglet - 7
Escudero - 7
Nzonzi - 8.0
Banega - 7.5
Sarabia - 7.5
Vazquez - 7
Correa - 7.5
Muriel - 6.5
Subs: Yedder - 8.5⭐ , Pizzaro and Geis - nil ( spent little time on the pitch.

As Roma almost made it through. Winning 1-0 at home after losing 2-1 in Ukraine. Winning on away goal rule with the final aggregate score 2-2. Edin Dzeko the scorer on the night.