Manchester City secured a 3-2 victory over St. Polten in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, marking their second win in Group D. The match started in City’s favor, with Alanna Kennedy scoring a stunning goal from long range in the sixth minute. Despite dominating early on, City faced a tough challenge from the Austrian side as St. Polten equalized through Melanie Brunnthaler and then took the lead with a goal from Kamila Dubcova. However, City quickly responded with goals from Aoba Fujino and Mary Fowler, securing the win.
Captain Alex Greenwood expressed the frustration of City’s absence from European competition, highlighting their return to the Champions League. The team’s performance in their first two matches has shown that they belong in the competition, with victories over Barcelona and St. Polten. City displayed resilience in the match against St. Polten, coming from behind to secure the win and showcasing their determination to succeed in the tournament. The victory marked City’s first away win in the group stage since March 2021.
Aoba Fujino was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance against St. Polten. The 20-year-old Japan international provided an assist for Kennedy’s goal and scored a crucial equalizer in the second half. Fujino’s passing accuracy, defensive contributions, and overall impact on the game played a significant role in City’s success. In addition to Fujino, other players such as Mary Fowler and Chloe Kelly made important contributions to the team’s victory.
The match featured several key moments, including Schluter’s impressive save to deny City an early goal, Kennedy’s stunning strike, and Fowler’s effort hitting the crossbar. St. Polten fought back with goals from Brunnthaler and Dubcova before City mounted their comeback. Chloe Kelly provided an important assist for Fujino’s goal, while Lauren Hemp’s corner set up Fowler’s header for the winning goal. The match showcased the competitive nature of the Champions League and City’s ability to overcome challenges.
With their victory over St. Polten, Manchester City demonstrated their potential in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and underlined their status as contenders in the competition. The team’s strong start to the group stage bodes well for their future performances, as they aim to advance in the tournament and compete against top European clubs. Manager Gareth Taylor will look to build on these early successes and guide City to further achievements in the Champions League, aiming for more away wins and impressive performances from his players.
Overall, Manchester City’s victory over St. Polten was a hard-fought and vital result in their Champions League campaign. The team’s determination, resilience, and quality were on display as they secured a crucial win on the road. With key players stepping up and delivering important performances, City’s campaign in the Champions League is off to a promising start. As they continue to progress in the tournament, City will aim to maintain their winning momentum and compete at the highest level in European women’s football.
