Andrée Jeglertz believes Man City were ‘one step behind’ Arsenal following a 1-0 loss in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Man City had their 13-game winning streak broken at Emirates Stadium after an Olivia Smith opener secured three points for Arsenal coming off the back of a historic FIFA Champions Cup trophy lift. City head coach Andrée Jeglertz believes his side did well to bounce-back, despite a strong start from the Gunners.
“Coaches don’t really like to lose,” Jeglertz professed. “But at the same time, today [the way] we played against Arsenal wasn’t very good. They were very good today. We struggled a lot, especially in first half of managing all their rotations and how they overloaded us in different areas.
“I also like how we ended the game. I think there was a lot of things in the last 10, 15 minutes that shows that we really, really were pushing it, but it was too late.”
Man City put themselves in a ‘difficult situation’ admits Andrée Jeglertz
Jeglertz thinks his side were too slow defensively in the first half, allowing Arsenal to apply far too much pressure in the final third.
“I think it’s linked to the whole formation, how we are defending, if we are, which I think we were in the first half, a little bit late all the time,” Jeglertz said. “Everyone was one step behind and that means that the back line don’t know should they step or should they drop. It becomes a little bit of a difficult situation for them because they have players with can face our goal and then it’s very tricky.
“So when we got pressure on the ball holder, which I think we did in second half, a little bit more, at least it was easier for them to also catch the runs in a better way.”
Arsenal’s goal came from a run in behind by Olivia Smith, who received possession from a visionary through ball by Mariona Caldentey. Asked about the qualities of Smith and if he was disappointed his defence didn’t pick up her run in behind, Jeglertz was critical in his analysis.
“We knew about it, we knew about her qualities,” Jeglertz admitted. “That was part of their game plan, of course, to utilise her in behind. It’s always going to be challenging when they get a new player facing our backline and our backline needs to run towards their own goal.
“It is tough no matter which centre backs you have. So of course always disappointed when you concede a goal. But at the same time we should probably also be able to create more during the game. But, our decision making wasn’t ideal all the time during the game either.”
Talking points as Smith stuns Man City as Arsenal end Jeglertz’s winning streak
