Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella praised his team for playing ‘the game of their lives’ as they dumped Manchester United out of the Champions League.
Following a goalless first leg in Seville, negative United failed to break down their opponents at Old Trafford and paid the price when Wissam Ben Yedder came off the bench to score twice late on.
Montella’s introduction of Ben Yedder after 72 minutes proved a masterstroke as the French striker scored in the 74th and 78th minutes to take Sevilla into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1958.
Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella celebrates as he side beat Man United 2-1 on Tuesday night
The coach celebrates with Wissam Ben Yedder, who scored Sevilla’s two goals at Old Trafford
‘I’m very, very happy, it’s amazing we’ve won in this very special stadium and the first time in 60 years we’re in the quarter-finals of the Champions League,’ Montella said.
‘I have some very happy players who have got Sevilla in their soul and in their heart. All the players were fantastic, they played the game of their lives.
‘Even though we didn’t create chances in the first-half we put in a good performance. I felt we were in control possession-wise and we have them very little opportunity to get close to our goal.
‘In the second-half I’m pleased Ben Yedder turned things around and it was he who made the difference. He was decisive and finished well on two occasions.’
United were left needing three goals following Ben Yedder’s quick-fire double and, although Romelu Lukaku reduced the deficit with six minutes remaining, Jose Mourinho’s team paid the price for their conservative approach.
Montella managed to get the better of United boss Jose Mourinho, winning 2-1 on aggregate
Wissam Ben Yedder celebrates one of his two goals for Sevilla against Manchester United
While United came into the second leg boosted by their weekend win over rivals Liverpool, Sevilla had suffered a 2-0 home loss against Valencia to move 11 points away from the Champions League places in La Liga.
Montella added: ‘We were risky against Valencia and paid by losing that game. However, tonight we were very effective and it was a totally different style of play and I’m happy we managed to turn things around.
‘Everything is difficult. I think it’s just as hard catching Valencia or getting to the final. There are two more rounds before the final so let’s talk about the quarters before we talk about the final.
The French striker struck twice in the space of four minutes to send United crashing out
Ben Yedder whipped off his shirt to celebrate his second goal in front of the travelling fans
‘I’m not thinking about the next opponent, whether it be Italian or whoever, I’m just enjoying this moment.’
Sevilla join Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus in the quarter-finals, with the final two teams to be determined on Wednesday evening.
Bayern Munich take a 5-0 first leg lead to Besiktas, while Barcelona host Chelsea with the scores tied at 1-1.