The Swiss international is approaching 12 months at the Etihad Stadium having joined from Borussia Dortmund at the end of last summer’s transfer window.
He was pivotal in helping City to last season’s Treble success, playing 48 times in all positions across the defence as we lifted the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
City’s previous meetings with Sevilla
While Akanji knew he was joining a side used to winning, the 28-year-old admits even he couldn’t have foreseen the triumphant year that has just passed.
“It’s been a great year,” he said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Europa League winners Sevilla in Athens.
“I didn’t expect this when I signed but as soon as I came here, the mentality was to win everything and I’m so happy to do it like this.
“I hope we can win more trophies.
“Just being around all these good players and the coaching staff is helping me improve every day. That is my goal. I try to do the best I can. Every day I try to do the best I can.”
This is the first time City have played in the UEFA Super Cup, having never previously lifted European football’s two most prestigious trophies.
Sevilla are regular attendees, having won the Europa League seven times since 2006.
Having already achieved something special to qualify for the Super Cup, Akanji is desperate to be part of the first City side to lift the trophy.
“It’s another final,” he said.
“A possibility to win another trophy.
“We are really excited for the game and we will do everything to win it. That’s the mindset in our team, we want to win every game and that’s what we will try to do tomorrow again.”
Although City enjoyed a momentous season in 2022/23, we have already begun the hunt for more silverware in this campaign.
The Community Shield ended in a cruel penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal before we got our Premier League under way with a convincing 3-0 win at Burnley.
While Akanji accepts there was not much time to soak in the successes of last season, he believes he and the rest of the City squad are hungry to do it all again.
CITY V SEVILLA | UEFA SUPER CUP HUB
He stated: “I think the summer break was pretty short but I wouldn’t change it for anything because we played in the FA Cup and Champions League finals and I hope we can do this next year again.
“[After the finals] It’s not easy to then go into holidays.
“When summer started I just tried to enjoy it to the fullest but it was always on my mind I had to start preparing for the new season.
“I was with my friends and family at first but then I had to start getting ready for the new season again.”
CITY V SEVILLA APP COVERAGE
You can follow all of the action on our official app with our Matchday Centre beginning at 18:00 (UK).
Our Matchday Live programme will begin around 18:40 (UK).
Host Natalie Pike will be joined by Matchday Live favourites Steph Houghton, Michael Brown and Shaun Goater to provide City-centric insight in the build-up to the game.
Meanwhile, Nedum Onuoha and Shaun Wright-Phillips will be in Athens to give us a sample of the atmosphere.
The guests will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live.
To get in touch, send a Whatsapp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can listen to live audio commentary while our text commentary continues.
A detailed match report will be posted upon the game’s completion before we provide you with post-match reaction from Guardiola and the players.
Short highlights and a full-match replay (for CITY+ and Recast subscribers) from the match will be available from 23:00 (UK) Wednesday with extended highlights available from 23:00 (UK) Thursday 17 August.
