Andrée Jeglertz says that Mary Fowler ‘fantastic’ Mary Fowler changed the momentum alongside Khadija Shaw in City’s sensational comeback win.
After becoming Barclays Women’s Super League champions without kicking a ball on Wednesday night, Manchester City travelled to West London hoping to keep their dream of the double alive.
The Manchester side were 2-0 down with four minutes of normal time to play of their Adobe Women’s FA Cup tie against Chelsea before Fowler scored and Shaw struck a brace to send City to Wembley.
Andrée Jeglertz spoke to the media following the victory and The Halfway Line was present to hear from him.
Manchester City ‘grew into the game’ says Andrée Jeglertz
After 86 minutes it looked like a familiar story, Manchester City ousted from a cup competition by Chelsea. However Jeglertz’s side fought back, the Swede was asked for his thoughts on the match,
“Of course we wanted to [start fast]” said Jeglertz. “The intent was not to wait to 86 minutes, but I think it was a tough game. Chelsea was coming out very good in first half. I think we struggled a little bit there.
“We grew into the game. I think that then they score a second goal, I think that was not an ideal moment, because then I think we were on our way into it, but at the same time, I felt it already in half time, when just speaking to the players and also seeing them on the field, there was no doubt that we will definitely try to go for it anyway.”
“And I’ve said that quite many times this year, that this group never they never give up. They always have a belief. We did some changes in second half also, which I think had a good effect.
“We were able to score two goals, and then in that’s also a little bit exciting in sitting with the players when you go in for extra time, and also just looking in their eyes and see that [attitude], let’s go for it.”
Losing Bunny Shaw would not be ‘catastrophic’ says Jeglertz
Emma Sanders of the BBC asked Jeglertz if losing Bunny Shaw would be ‘catastrophic’ for Manchester City with rumours swirling that she might leave to play for Chelsea in the Summer,
“I wouldn’t take the word catastrophic” Jeglertz hastily replied. “But I always said that she’s an amazing player for us. She’s been very good this year and scored a lot of goals and has impact, and she shows that today again.
“Where we are in July, I don’t know, that’s not up to me, but I’m pretty sure that no matter which players that is in my squad in July, that the club would definitely give me possibilities to win the title again, and who that is, we’ll see that later on.”
Andrée Jeglertz lauds ‘fantastic’ Fowler
The comeback was sparked by a magnificent goal from Australia forward Mary Fowler. Fowler missed most of the season with an ACL injury she picked up in last year’s FA Cup semi final but her return made the difference for City, Jeglertz was asked by Kit Shepherd of The Times to speak on Fowler’s quality,
“We talked a lot about all the other players but Mary [Fowler] is, she’s a fantastic player” lauded Jeglertz. “So she came back from this big injury, and coming into a team that is very successful. It’s been a little bit of a challenge for her to fit in in.
“I haven’t worked with her before, so how do I get the best out of her? I think when she played with Bunny [Shaw] up front today, was showing something and that we have done a little bit in training sessions.
“But mostly those two together is a real threat for whichever back line you ever are putting on. So I think that was changing a couple of momentum in the game.”
