Jack Grealish hails inspirational Pep Guardiola – ‘The manager made it so clear how much he wants this trophy’

Jack Grealish said Pep Guardiola’s desperation to lead Manchester City to a first Super Cup triumph gave the players “more of an urge” as they beat Sevilla on penalties on a sweltering night in Greece.

Last season’s Treble winners fell behind in the 25th minute to the reigning Europa League champions when Youssef En-Neysri rose highest to meet Marcos Acuna’s delivery to bullet a header past Ederson.

City hit back in the second half through Cole Palmer, who finished brilliantly in the 63rd minute, lofting a header across Yassine Bounou into the far corner to set up a pulsating finish.

“It was unbelievable,” Grealish told TNT Sports. “The manager made it so clear to us before the game and even the last few days how much he wants this club to win this trophy.

“You want to win everything but that just gave us more of an urge. It was a brilliant feeling.

“Over the last 10, 15 years this club has been so successful, they’ve won so many Premier Leagues, FA Cups, Carabao Cups. And this is the one we’ve been waiting for you know after the Champions League, so just to add another one to the collection for the club and personally, that’s what I came here to do.”

City were far from their best in the first half but Grealish added that “some words” from Guardiola at the break made the difference in the end.

“It was so hot and humid,” Grealish added. “Obviously we knew what they were good at, those crosses into the box. I think they had a good few chances in the second half, so fair play to them.

“I just saw the stats and we had a lot more possession and shots but they made it hard for us, fair play, they’re a good team.

“Getting the break at half-time, getting some words from the manager was important. In the second half we changed a few things and it worked in our favour. A good night all round.”

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