Manchester City face Seville in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, and fans will be looking forward to potentially getting a glimpse of former Etihad winger Jesus Navas.
After beating Burnley at the weekend, the Citizens’ focus is now on the Spanish giants, whom they play in Athens.
Sevilla booked their place in the match, after beating AS Roma on penalties at the Puskas Arena.
It is a chance for City to win a trophy they never have.
And Sevilla have won it once before – all the way back in 2006 when they beat Barcelona 3-0. They have lost on five other occasions though, which is a record.
City will be feeling confident.
And it will be nice to watch Navas in action, with the star having featured for City a few years back.
José Luis Mendilibar hails Jesus Navas ahead of UEFA Super Cup between Manchester City and Sevilla
Sevilla head coach José Luis Mendilibar has been speaking about Wednesday’s game with the official UEFA website.
He has described the prospect of facing City as ‘complicated’ and ‘difficult’.
He has also spoken about Navas, who signed for City in 2013 for a reported £15 million.
Navas enjoyed four seasons at the Etihad, playing 183 game and scored eight goals and making 39 assists.
He returned to Sevilla on a free transfer when his contract with City finished in 2017.
Navas was always energetic for City. And clearly he was very durable to play 183 games for the club in just four years.
And Navas has clearly continued to looks after himself since leaving City, with Mendilibar hailing his condition.
He said: “He has achieved everything in football. He is a guy who comes to training, then goes to his village and relaxes with his friends. He is like a big kid, but it is a pleasure to coach him.
“You have to stay on top of him a bit sometimes. He is a bit fussy, but he is 37 and his physical condition is that of a 27 or 28-year-old player. Sometimes you have to put your arm around him and get into his head but the majority of footballers need that.”
Jesus Navas is an example to players everywhere
It is great to see Navas still playing at the highest level at the age of 37. Just like it is to see another former City player, Edin Dzeko.
Navas, who returned to the Spain national team in June after three years away, plays a right-back these days, which perhaps explains his longevity.
But that’s still a tough, demanding position to play.
It’s amazing that he apparently still has the physical conditioning of a 27-year-old.
He’s an example to players everywhere, and it will be really interesting to see how he gets on against his old club on Wednesday.
He will certainly have to be on top form to contain the likes of Jack Grealish and/or Phil Foden.
