The UEFA Women’s Champions League continued its compelling start tonight, as Manchester City beat out Barcelona at a sold out Joie Stadium.
The reigning champions would experience an early blunder in their title-defending campaign, as goals from Naomi Layzell and Bunny Shaw got Gareth Taylor’s side off to an ideal Group Stage start.
The Lineups
MCI: Yamashita; Casparij, Greenwood, Aleixandri, Layzell; Miedema, Hasegawa, Park; Hemp, Shaw, Fowler
BAR: Coll; Batlle, Engen, Leon, Rolfö; Bonmatí, Walsh, Guijarro; Hansen, Pajor, Putellas
The Action
Within the opening ten minutes, Jess Park put the visitors’ title-holding goalkeeper under immense pressure at the face of goal. Calm and collected as ever, though, Cata Coll’s composed redistribution prevented an early opener for the Cityzens. The close contest continued, with chances arising more frequently in Manchester City’s final third.
A crucial goal line clearance would soon be required of Laia Aleixandri to keep the hosts level, after Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor got past Ayaka Yamashita and tried her luck with an accurate right-footed attempt.
The home side looked brighter as the first half progressed, but their valiant efforts against the visiting European giants had yet to make their way onto the scoresheet until the 35th minute. Another strike from Park was parried away by Coll, but the subsequent corner saw Gareth Taylor’s side open the scoring.
Naomi Layzell did well to put away the ball from close range after it was kept alive by the head of Miedema, and her brave shot marked not only the defender’s first Manchester City goal, but the first senior goal of her blossoming career.
Taylor’s side remained ahead at the break, and Pere Romeu’s Spanish champions would emerge from the tunnel with work to do in the second half.
Manchester City got proceedings back underway, persistently challenging their opponents. Taylor’s side would have to defend rigorously to preserve their lead, but their resistance to Barcelona’s press appeared unwavering.
Aleixandri proved vital for the Barclays Women’s Super League frontrunners once again, blocking a powerful strike from Putellas 10 minutes into the second half. In quick succession, the gloves of Yamashita would be called into action to keep the Sky Blues a goal to the better.
Defensive contributions were a necessity from Cityzens across the length of the pitch to maintain their hard fought lead, as demonstrated by the famously fast-paced Lauren Hemp, who did brilliantly to track back for a clearance.
Barcelona’s drive forward went on, but a wondrous ball from Layzell to find Shaw on the counterattack saw Manchester City double their lead. The Jamaican timed her run to perfection, dodging Coll and slotting her finish beyond reach in the 77th minute.
Despite an improved second-half showing from last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League victors, the Cityzens did more than enough to triumph in front of their home crowd.
