Manchester Metropolis’s persistent menace was rewarded on Tuesday evening as they clinched a 2-0 victory over Hammarby within the UEFA Ladies’s Champions League.
Regardless of a sluggish begin, Gareth Taylor’s aspect stay unbeaten in Europe with a 100% group stage report. Each objectives got here within the second half, the primary from Laura Blindkilde Brown on her Champions League debut and the opposite from summer season signing Aoba Fujino.
Though this actually wasn’t the Cityzens’ most convincing efficiency, they are going to be happy to stroll away with one other three factors serving to to solidify their place on the prime of their group.
How the sport unfolded
It’s no shock that Taylor noticed this fixture as a possibility to relaxation a few of his normal beginning XI, when you think about that Hammarby are debutants within the Champions League.Â
Ayaka Yamashita resumed her place in aim changing Khiara Keating, whereas Lauren Hemp was sidelined for the aforementioned Blindkilde Brown, and Mary Fowler began in favour of Jill Roord.Â
Nevertheless, the Cityzens struggled to click on and discover a productive rhythm within the first half and the Swedish aspect had been profitable in maintaining them at arm’s size. The house aspect’s solely actual shot heading in the right direction got here from Fowler within the thirtieth minute, making an attempt her luck with a low strike on the right-hand aspect.Â
Recent from a WSL report with a hat-trick on the weekend, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw struggled to create any actual menace on the assault. The visiting aspect had been granted the very best alternative within the first half when a cross from Asato Miyagawa ended up inflicting havoc within the 18-yard field. Though the ball discovered the ft of Ellen Ingegerd Wangerheim, Alex Greenwood rapidly gained composure to clear.
Because the second half commenced, it was clear one thing had switched within the house aspect. Blindkilde Brown discovered the again of the web after two minutes, changing an help from Fowler.
Metropolis continued to dominate and Fujino was the important thing to unlocking their potential. Her relentless efforts lastly paid off within the eightieth minute when her header breezed previous Anna Tamminen.
Hammarby dug deep within the final 15, however it was too late for the Swedish aspect to make an actual distinction.
GK: Ayaka Yamashita – 8/10 – She made an important save that stopped Hammarby from equalising within the 72nd minute. In addition to that, she remained a dependable pair of fingers.
RB: Kerstin Casparij – 6/10 – Did not have rather a lot to do, however needs to be recommended for her 90% cross accuracy.
CB: Alanna Kennedy – 6/10 – The defender wasn’t challenged an enormous quantity however was satisfactory when she was required to spring into motion. She recorded a 92% cross accuracy and efficiently gained three floor duels and two aerial duels.
CB: Alex Greenwood (c) – 6/10 – A dependable efficiency from Metropolis’s new skipper. The centre-back proved why she is an asset to any backline a very long time in the past they usually stay fortunate to have her.
LB: Leila Ouahabi – 6/10 – A strong effort. She totalled three tackles, three interceptions and three clearances.
CM: Jess Park – 6/10 – The breakout England worldwide has had a stellar begin to the 2024/25 Ladies’s Tremendous League, bagging two objectives domestically. Nevertheless, she blended into the background in opposition to the Swedish aspect, being overshadowed by Blindkilde Brown.
CM: Yui Hasegawa – 6/10 – Like Park alongside her, Hasegawa did not have the strongest of video games. There have been a handful of occasions that she was sloppy when in possession, giving Hammarby a possibility to take again management within the centre of the pitch.
CM: Laura Blindkilde Brown – 9/10 – The 21-year-old actually had a recreation to recollect. Not solely did she rating on her Champions League debut, she placed on a commanding show serving to to regulate play in the course of the pitch.
RW: Mary Fowler – 7/10 – A promising displaying from the Australian worldwide, who recorded an help for Metropolis’s first aim of the night. The 21-year-old’s tempo on the assault continues to be horrifying for anybody getting in her manner.
ST: Khadija Shaw – 6/10 – The striker was starved of nearly all of alternatives in the course of the length of the sport. She not solely struggled to search out the area she normally does to current menace, however she was additionally clumsy when in possession.
LW: Aoba Fujino – 8/10 – A composed effort from the left-winger who joined the Cityzens this summer season. She totalled six photographs on aim and a 70% accuracy, all whereas efficiently discovering area on the wing to create worthy possibilities.
Substitutes
SUB: Jill Roord (81′ for Fowler) – 7/10 – Did not have an enormous period of time to make an affect, however got here out on prime in two floor duels while on the pitch.
SUB: Chloe Kelly (81′ for Blindkilde Brown) – 7/10 – Recording a 100% cross fee accuracy, the England worldwide remained threatening when on the ball. It is comprehensible why their is frustration that she does not get extra minutes when she has such a commanding presence.
SUB: Lily Murphy (88′ for Shaw) – N/A
SUB: Laura Coombs (90+2′ for Park) – N/A
SUB: Gracie Prior (90+2′ for Greenwood) – N/A
Unused subs: Khiara Keating (GK), Katie Startup (GK), Codie Thomas, Eve O’Carroll
Supervisor
Gareth Taylor – 7/10 – Metropolis actually lacked their normal flare, however on this event Taylor can be happy to have gotten the job executed forward of travelling to Sweden subsequent week for a rematch.
