The UEFA Women’s Champions League group stages commenced this week as 16 of Europe’s finest teams battled it out on the most prestigious stage.
Manchester City were dealt a difficult hand in their return to Europe, having been grouped with the Champions League title holders, FC Barcelona. Despite the tough task ahead, Gareth Taylor’s side passed their first test with flying colours, triumphing over Barcelona thanks to goals from Naomi Layzell and Khadija Shaw.
Naomi Layzell makes her Champions League mark
Taylor was forced to make a significant change to his Cityzens side set to face Barcelona after Leila Ouahabi recently suffered an injury setback during City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the WSL. 20-year-old Layzell stepped into the starting lineup and didn’t miss a beat in her UEFA Women’s Champions League debut.
It was a tight contest at Joie Stadium until Manchester City broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Vivianne Miedema cut her pass back into the crowded chaos of the City corner, where Layzell buried her tap-in into the back of Cata Coll’s net for her first-ever goal in sky blue.
What an occasion it was for the young English defender as she carried her form into the second half by setting up Shaw for Manchester City’s…
