The Champions League is back in flames in late February, with Manchester United travelling to Sevilla on 21 February, and the two teams have not played each other in an official match.

Sevilla are currently fifth in La Liga, six points clear of fourth-placed Real Madrid, and will have a tough chance of securing a Champions League spot next season. At present, in addition to Barcelona, there is another team in the third tier of La Liga, which is Sevilla, and the final winner of the Spanish Copa del Rey will also be born between these two teams.

In addition, after the end of this game, Sevilla will have a direct collision with Atletico Madrid in La Liga, which is very difficult for Sevilla, which lacks the depth of the squad.

Sevilla's main spending in the winter transfer season was one in and one out, bringing in Alana from Corinthians for €11 million and selling Montoya to Athletic Blue Cross for €5.5 million.

Manchester United is also in the third tier of the battle, for Manchester United, the hope of the league title is the biggest and the most urgent. In the FA Cup, they also beat Hassfield Town 2-0 last week to make it to the last eight.

As one of the only teams in Europe's top five leagues to play in the third tier, Manchester United and Sevilla's Champions League quarter-finals are also regarded as the focus of this round.

However, the away ticket prices of Manchester United and Sevilla in the Champions League before the game caused a lot of controversy.

Last month, Sevilla announced that away fans would get £89 for the Champions League knockout match against Manchester United, the most expensive away ticket price United has ever encountered.

Manchester United fans are not satisfied, Sevilla fans are not satisfied, they do not agree that tickets are overpriced and they are embarrassed by their home team's decision.

In the face of Sevilla's refusal to cut prices, Manchester United have a bit of a plan, I have a wall, they also set the second leg of the away team tickets at £89, and will return £35 to Manchester United fans who bought tickets away from home, so that Manchester United fans will only have to pay £45 to buy away tickets.

In terms of injuries, Sevilla's main midfielder Banega is back from injury, and their main injury problems are from the backline, with Carolet and Corcia both unavailable due to injury.

Manchester United's semi-main striker Marcus Rashford is doubtful, and main defender Eric Bailly is expected to return for this game, Pogba was unable to play in the last FA Cup game due to illness, but has returned to training, although he is in the squad for this game, but the starting position is taken by Herrera, who is more familiar with La Liga.

Sevilla starting line-up: Rico; Navas, Mercado, Lenglet, Escudero; Nzongzi, Banega; Sarabia, Vázquez, Correa; Muriel

Manchester United starting line-up: David De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Bailly, Ashley Young; Nemanja Matic, Herrera, Scott McTominay; Mata, Ozil; Dai Zhiwei

Mourinho undignified the "4-3-2-1" Christmas tree formation, which is to play defensive counterattacks away from home and keep Sevilla from being depressed.

In the third minute, Sevilla's Munir shot from outside the box was saved by De Gea.

In the 13th minute, Sevilla's Banega fired a diagonal shot into the far corner from the right side of the penalty area, which was quite threatening.

In the 24th minute, Dai Zhiwei volleyed high from the left side of the penalty area to complete Manchester United's first shot of the campaign.

Sevilla then won a series of corners and free-kicks, but neither of them posed a major threat.

In the 37th minute, Manchester United rarely played an effective counterattack, Dai Zhiwei reversed the triangle pass, and McTominay's left-footed burst from the edge of the penalty area was saved by the goalkeeper.

Then Escudero also fired a burst of shots back to color, and the shot was blocked by Bailly.

In the 41st minute, Sevilla's Correa burst into the left side of the penalty area and pushed a shot that was saved by De Gea.

Three minutes later, Mercado's header was again brilliantly deflected away by David De Gea.

In stoppage time, a close-range header from Munir was again miraculously saved by De Gea.

At half-time, the two teams were temporarily tied 0:0.

Throughout the first half, Dai Zhiwei fell into the crowd tactics of the opposing side, and Sevilla had already recognized his strength in the past two seasons, with Dai Zhiwei's frequent falls and violations, which made Manchester United fans and coaches on the sidelines shake their heads.

Back in the dressing room at half-time, Mourinho also specifically asked Dai Zhiwei how his injury was.

Because just as the first half was about to end, Manchester United launched a wave of fierce counterattacks, and Dai Zhiwei was brought down by the opponent's decisive tackle when he dribbled the ball in the midfield, making him fall to the ground in pain for a long time before getting up.

Because he had only returned from injury for less than two weeks, his fall scared Mourinho to his feet.

"It's okay, it's just a hard injury, it doesn't affect the game." The team doctor said happily.

Mourinho frowned, this is good news, does it have to make Dai Zhiwei covered in injuries?

"No problem!" Dai Zhiwei doesn't care, he must play in the second half, and besides, don't we have a system to repair injuries.

Jose Mourinho nodded, he likes players with fighting spirit, but Dai Zhiwei cannot be sacrificed for nothing.

He turned to Ashley Young and Valencia and said: "Antonio, Ashley, in the second half you have to be more decisive and deeper, straight into the box. ”

Mourinho turned to Nemanja and Herrera and said: "Nemanja, Andel, you two have to be more decisive in passing, and you can go to the wings when you have the chance." ”

At the beginning of the second half, Dai Zhiwei consciously retreated deeper, not only seducing Sevilla's central defenders, but also attracting the opposing midfield defenders and creating more opportunities for the forward on the wing.

For United's current starting line-up, David De Gea, Eric Bailly, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Dai Zhiwei and Mesut Ozil all have experience of La Liga and are fully adapted to Sevilla's style.

Dai Zhiwei's active running won many opportunities for his team-mates, and the United attacking enthusiasm in front of the court was mobilized, and the players' cooperation gradually returned to their former form.

Due to Manchester United's sudden change of tactics, Sevilla, which had been pressing the opponent's siege in the first half, suddenly became a little passive on the field.

Dai Zhiwei's deep retreat made the opposing centre-backs very uncomfortable, often following to the front of the penalty area about five meters before stopping, but then Mata and Ozil will take advantage of the situation and take the opportunity to disrupt Sevilla's defensive layout inside and outside the box, whether it is passing the ball or breaking through the goal himself, Manchester United have several good chances in succession.

Mourinho watched his players continue to waste opportunities in the front court, and his heart was distressed, these opportunities were all counter-attack opportunities that he worked hard to get again and again, and no one knew if he could get such a good opportunity next time.

If they can't score in time, this wave of attack is likely to be suppressed by Sevilla as they did in the first half.

It's a pity that Dai Zhiwei's task is involved, otherwise with him in the penalty area, Manchester United will definitely be able to seize the opportunity, Mourinho has always trusted Dai Zhiwei's ability to seize the opportunity in front of the goal.

"Olivier, get ready to play!" Mourinho's patience has finally run out.

On a dead-goal opportunity, Olivier Giroud came on in place of Juan Mata and Dai Zhiwei played as a shadow striker for the first time this season.

In the ensuing attack, Dai Zhiwei retreated from the penalty area again, but because Giroud was in front, Sevilla's defenders could only stand at the top of the box this time, ready to block the forward insertion of Manchester United's midfielders and the cutting inside of the wide players.

As for creating Giroud's offside, it is simply impossible, Giroud is also a battle-hardened famous player, how can he contribute to offside casually?

Mesut Ozil sent in a long ball from midfield and flew straight to the right, with Ashley Young on the right flanked by a quick run, with Sevilla's full-backs just foolishly chasing behind.

At this time, Dai Zhiwei and others strictly implemented Mourinho's tactics, and he and Giroud quickly rushed into the penalty area and pounced on Sevilla before and after each other.

United suddenly picked up the tempo of the pass, leaving the Sevilla defence without time to adjust, with Ashley Young making a decisive cross down the right flank and Giroud at the front as the fulcrum, ready to receive the ball.

"Here!" Dai Zhiwei suddenly roared loudly.

The Sevilla players panicked when they heard Dai Zhiwei's shout, he was unmarked in his position, and Giroud headed straight back to Dai Zhiwei in the middle.

Based on the evaluation of a bridgehead centre-forward, it is clear that the tall Giroud is more suitable than Dai Zhiwei.

The Sevilla central defender saw the football flying towards Dai Zhiwei, and could only silently pray in his heart that the opponent had kicked it, while hurrying to catch up with the defense.

With a soft "bang", Dai Zhiwei leaped to the top, and the football hit the intersection of the back post and the crossbar, and slammed into the Sevilla gate neatly.

1：0！

Jose Mourinho on the sidelines waved his fists excitedly, although Giroud was brought in because of Dai Zhiwei's accidental injury, but it turned out that Giroud is not only a substitute for Dai Zhiwei, he can also form a perfect combination with Dai Zhiwei.

Dai Zhiwei's goal broke the deadlock on the pitch as Jose Mourinho excitedly hugged his aides on the sidelines in celebration and waved his fists in the air as if to demonstrate to Sevilla on the other side.

Dai Zhiwei's goal almost opened the door for United to win, and it's no wonder Jose Mourinho was so happy.

Sevilla coach Montella saw Mourinho's excited expression but felt very much in the way, and his carefully arranged tactics persisted for nearly 70 minutes, but he did not expect it to fall short.

Seeing Mourinho constantly waving on the sidelines and letting his players continue to strengthen their defense, he thought that 1:0 away was the best result.

Montella saw Mourinho's move and immediately made the decision to press all the way, but this tactical adjustment also became one of the mistakes that were criticized after the game.

Anyone can do it as an afterthought, but now it seems that attacking is the only way out for Sevilla.

The Reds' attack was almost always a cross from the wing on the counter-attack, and this attack in the 80th minute was no exception.

However, the focus of United's previous counter-attacks has been on Ashley Young's left side, and this time Matic's sudden shift in a wide range gave Valencia, who was inserted on the right, a great opportunity to break through.

"Make up for it, don't panic!" Lenglet at the Sevilla backline loudly reminded his team-mates that he was also holding off Dai Zhiwei in the penalty area and not allowing him to get a step closer to the six-yard box.

Valencia sent a wonderful cross on the right side of the penalty area, Dai Zhiwei grabbed the cushion shot, Rico made a god-level save and kept Dai Zhiwei's cushion shot out with one palm.

However, Rico's goal was not far away, Giroud stabbed home easily in front of the six-yard box, and this time Rico was unable to return to the ground, and United managed to extend their advantage.

2:0！

Two counter-attacks, two goals, Jose Mourinho's Red Devils used the defensive counter-attack to the extreme!

After taking a two-goal lead, Mourinho on the sidelines was much calmer than before, and the game was almost sealed, and now it was time to think about the next leg back at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho would never be naïve enough to think that he could beat Sevilla at home this time and win the next leg comfortably.

There are no weak teams in the Champions League knockout round!

On the other side, Montella has become a completely tragic figure, before he chose to press the attack on all fronts, but he did not expect Manchester United to take advantage of the empty opportunity in the back to counterattack and score. this

"Attack! All offense! "Montella is really pressed and if they really end up losing 0-2 at home, then the next leg is definitely in hell mode.

He believes Mourinho is the kind of guy who can do it at home!

Sevilla finally came to their senses and began to fight back in a big way to salvage the defeat.

After the restart, Sevilla surrounded Manchester United in the half, but Manchester United's several counterattacks were also extremely sharp, and the pace of the transition between attack and defense on the field was staggering.

Dai Zhiwei actually got 3 counterattack opportunities in just 5 minutes, but it was a pity that Rico in front of him received a low block and turned away all his 2 shots.

Dai Zhiwei was full of ambition to score another goal, but in the last five minutes of the game, Mourinho stopped giving him a chance at all, replaced him with Fellaini, and continued to strengthen the team's defense.

Sevilla's comeback in the final period still played a big role, in the 89th minute of the game, Sevilla's long pass from the back was empty on the right, substitute Sandro Ramirez inserted the ball and crossed, Pizarro, who was also on the field just now, cushioned the ball with his left foot and cleverly passed Lindelof, and scored with a powerful right-footed volley from 7 yards.

2:1！

Sevilla pulled a goal back and gave all the Sevilla players a sense of hope.

However, their goal came too late, and in stoppage time, Jose Mourinho replaced Mesut Ozil and replaced Paul Pogba, and Manchester United had five midfielders on the field, and Sevilla's attack was completely frozen.

In the end, Manchester United won 2-1 away, and although the process was not dignified, it was a crucial victory that laid a solid foundation for the next leg.