Barcelona Girls 3 – 0 Man Metropolis Girls

Gareth Taylor says his injury-hit Manchester Metropolis facet won’t be outlined by their 3-0 defeat at Barcelona which noticed them lose prime spot in Champions League Group D to the title holders.

Metropolis, who certified for the quarter-finals in second place, struggled with out stars Khadija Shaw, Chloe Kelly, Alex Greenwood, Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp, with Barcelona needing to win by two clear objectives to complete on prime guests on purpose distinction.

“This recreation shouldn’t be going to outline us. We’ll be taught, get higher, get gamers again, begin getting stronger and get higher,” Taylor mentioned.

“They’re a prime crew, we are attempting to do one thing related and it takes time to construct that. We had been a bit dysfunctional with and with out the ball, [but] the women’ effort was top quality.

The hosts registered 30 photographs, forcing Metropolis goalkeeper Khiara Keating to make 14 saves, earlier than lastly beating her simply earlier than half-time when Claudia Pina fired in clinically from inside the realm.

The closest Metropolis got here to scoring was when Jill Roord’s long-range shot crashed off the crossbar.

Barca scored the second simply earlier than the hour mark when Aitana Bonmati broke free from the Metropolis protection and completed between Keating’s legs.

Alexia Putellas grabbed a fast victory simply minutes after coming off the bench, capturing previous the unseen Keating from the sting of the field.

Each groups completed on 15 factors, however Barcelona moved into first place because of their superior purpose distinction, that means Metropolis are actually within the second knockout group and will face a more durable draw.

Taylor: Defeat won’t outline us

Man Metropolis chief Gareth Taylor mentioned:

“[It was an] An unimaginable effort, we all know we weren’t practical and environment friendly in some areas with and with out the ball, however you possibly can’t fault the gamers’ effort.

“This match won’t outline us. We’ll be taught, enhance, get gamers again, begin getting stronger and enhance. It was tough. Barcelona began with an excellent tempo at first, took over between his tooth, attacked us and squeezed very onerous.

“You need to give them credit score, they’re a prime crew, we are attempting to do one thing related and it takes time to construct that. We had been a bit dysfunctional with and with out the ball tonight, the trouble women was top quality.

About Khiara Keating: “She was distinctive tonight, she confirmed a variety of persona and a variety of maturity for somebody so younger on the most important stage.”

Champions League quarter-finalists confirmed

The group winners are seeded into the final eight draw. The draw will happen on February 7, with attracts on March 18-19 and 26-27.

Group winners:

• Lyon
• Chelsea
• Barcelona
• Arsenal

Finalists:

• Wolfsburg
• Actual Madrid
• Manchester Metropolis
• Bayern Munich