Manchester City 2, Barcelona 0 (UEFA Women’s Champions League)
Naomi Layzell scored her first career goal as Manchester City beat defending Champions League holders Barcelona at the Joie Stadium.
Khadija Shaw scored City’s second just as it looked like Barcelona’s intense high press would break them in the second half as City had to rely on their defence in an absorbing second half before Shaw got the goal that her first half performance had deserved.
But victory has come at a potential cost as two City players came off injured in the final stages of the game – Laia Aleixandri and Layzell both limped off – the goalscorer having sustained her injury with nobody else near her.
After a cagey opening few minutes at Joie Stadium, City managed a spell of pressure and had a couple of decent openings which Khadija Shaw failed to profit from.
Caroline Graham Hansen hit the woodwork early on against while Lauren Hemp hit the post from one of City’s attacks, the visitors had clearer chances to score.
Alexia Putellas presented an easy save to Ayaka Yamashita but the Japanese goalkeeper was sold a short back pass by the otherwise excellent Viv Miedema who had an earlier shot blocked by ex-United defender Ona Batlle.
Ewa Pajor reached the ball before Yamashita but Laia Aleixandri got back to block the shot on the open goal to the relief of the Dutch player.
City remained brave though and got their reward after 36 minutes when Catalina Coll saved from Viv Miedema one handed but from the resulting corner she could not reach the lofted ball in by Mary Fowler and Miedema headed the ball back into the danger area where Naomi Layzell reacted first and scored her first ever club goal from close range.
Lauren Hemp headed a free kick wide in the second half while City also had to defend well as Barcelona sought the equaliser.
Aitana Bonmati drew a low save from Yamashita before Barcelona made the first change of the game with Claudia Pina replacing Ingrid Engen after 61 minutes.
Former City favourite Keira Walsh’s long range effort didn’t challenge Yamashita as Barca lay siege to Yamashita’s goal, pressing very high, in a tense second half.
Yamashina also had to save from Hansen’s deflected shot as the second half turned into.a rearguard action with Fridolina Rolfo replaced by Esmee Brugts for the last 16 minutes.
But City found the release valve and a ball up to Bunny Shaw was missed by Patri Guijarro who had tried to tackle her, the loose ball broke for the Jamaican striker who made no mistake with the second chance after making space for herself, rolling the ball past Catalina Coll after she had committed herself.
City were reduced to 10 players in added time after using all their substitutes after Lazyell went down while clearing the ball, she couldn’t put weight on her right foot as she limped off down the byline as the one blot on a famous night at Joie Stadium.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 2, Barcelona 0 (UEFA Women’s Champions League)
Ayaka Yamashita: 8. Easy save from Alexia Putellas but a drew the press and almost paid for it when Ewa Pajor got on to a short back pass by Viv Miedema and with an open goal to aim for was saved by a goal line clearance by Laia Alexiandri. Saved well from Caroline Graham Hansen when she was clean through and also Aitana Bonmati, Keira Walsh, and Hansen again as Barcelona put the pressure on her in the second half.
Naomi Layzell: 8. Held her own up against Alexia Putellas and also reacted first when Catalina Coll spilt a corner and scored her first ever club goal. Followed that up with an assist with a ball up to Khadija Shaw to score a second goal to release the pressure. So unlucky to go down with an injury in added time while clearing the ball.
Laia Aleixandri: 8. Booked for early foul. Excellent goal line clearance to deny the very pacy Ewa Pajor a certain goal. Took a late knock as City defended their lead stoutly.
Alex Greenwood: 8. Marshalled the defence, and had to be alert to Barcelona’s attacking trident.
Kerstin Casparij: 8. Diligent defending at left back but was outpaced by Caroline Graham Hansen for a through ball at the end of the first half.
Jess Park: 7. Still has the eye for goal, several chances including one saved at close range by Catalina Coll – but risky on the ball.
Yui Hasegawa: 8. Always spare in midfield, excellent interceptions and distribution.
Vivianne Miedema: 7. Always ready to receive a pass under pressure. Knitted some neat passes together in midfield, almost got on the end of a Jess Park cross but a short pass back to Ayaka Yamashita left the goalkeeper stranded. Her flicked header set up Naomi Layzell’s goal.
Mary Fowler: 7. Stayed wide on the right. Could have done better with wayward free kick and Khadija Shaw let her displeasure be known but her teasing corner set up Naomi Layzell’s goal.
Lauren Hemp: 8. Created a great early chance for Bunny Shaw. Hit the post after Bunny shot was blocked and sent plenty of crosses in. Did her share of defensive work too.
Khadija Shaw: 8. Had plenty of chances but they wouldn’t go in – including a one handed save by Catalina Coll. Held up the ball really well and did her defensive duties but went down injured in the first half and was limping by the middle of the second half. Got the goal she deserved late on when a mistake by Patri Guijarro gifted her an unimpeded run on goal and she rounded Catalina Coll for a placed finish.
Jill Roord (On for Jess Park, 79): No time to mark
Auba Fujino (On for Mary Fowler, 81): No time to mark
Alanna Kennedy (On for Laia Aleixandri, 90): No time to mark
GOALS – Manchester City 2, Barcelona 0 (UEFA Women’s Champions League)
Man City Women 1, Barcelona Women 0: 36. Naomi Layzell reacted first when Catalina Coll could not reach a corner and Viv Miedema flicked the ball back into the danger zone where the young defender reacted first to stab the ball home.
Man City Women 2, Barcelona Women 0: 77. Khadija Shaw scored a crucial second goal after a ball up to her by Naomi Layzell was only partly intercepted by Patri Guijarro. The loose ball broke kindly for the Jamaican who made the most of the second chance, drawing Catalina Coll off her line and rolling the ball under her.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 2, Barcelona 0 (UEFA Women’s Champions League)
Man City Women: Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri (Kennedy 90), Greenwood (C), Casparij, Park (Roord 79), Hasegawa, Miedema, Fowler (Fujino 81), Hemp, Shaw
Man City Women Subs not used: Keating, Startup, Blinkilde Brown, Coombs, Keating, Kelly, Murphy, Ouahabi, Prior, Thomas
Bookings: Aleixandri 14 (foul)
Goals: Layzell 36; Shaw 77
Barcelona Women: Coll, Batlle, Engen (Pina 64), Mapi Leon, Rolfo (Brugts 73), Bonmati (Lopez 86), Walsh (Nazareth 86), Guijarro, Hansen, Putellas (C) (Paredes 86), Pajor
Barcelona Women Subs not used: Font, Roebuck, Cano, Jana Fernandez, Martina Fernandez, Torrejon
Bookings: Mapi Leon 31 (foul on Khadija Shaw); Engen 47 (foul on Kirsten Casparij)
Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Attendance: 5,508 (New Record)