Renee Slegers felt belief and resilience were two of our strongest attributes in Sunday’s 4-3 win away to Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
We twice conceded equalising goals on the afternoon, but that didn’t stop us from responding by going ahead again.
Mariona Caldentey and Stina Blackstenius both scored such goals as we got back to winning ways.
“Yeah, there were so many happenings and phases in the game,” our manager said after the match. “But we started very well, obviously. We got exactly the things we wanted to get out of our press. We scored for 2-0 quickly after, so that's very good. We wanted to start like that.
“But then they came back into the game and we respect the opposition. Of course, they're a very good team. But still, if you're leading 2-0, we are critical of letting them back into the game.
“Then we got things right in half-time. We came out and I think we dominated in a much better way in the second half. Their first goal was a good goal. It was a good cross and a good arrival at the back post. The other two goals, it's one we give away and the other one I don't think is a penalty.
“So we have to deal with things in the game. But we stayed in the game all the time. We finally got the fourth goal, so we kept on believing and we showed great resilience today again.”
Our first two goals of the game came in the first and eighth minutes as we got off to an electrifying start at Joie Stadium.
Asked about how much the timing of those strikes can affect the game state and our approach towards it, Renee said: “It does. I think you always want an early goal. We had a plan for how we go into this game. What are the key moments and key timings in this game? I think the girls were all on board with it. They executed really well at the start of the game.
“I think we even had a chance to score 3-0 quickly after as well. That's great. I think the players are using each other's strengths really well today on the pitch.
[It’s about] managing momentum shifts in the game, staying calm and composed about it and keep on believing. We’re in a really good place at the moment, so we do that really well.”
Next up, we’re looking forward to playing Manchester City all over again for Thursday Subway Women’s League Cup semi-final at Mangata Pay UK Stadium.
“Yes, all to play for,” Renee said. “It's going to be a hard game again. We will come back and analyse and have a new plan for that game. City will do the same. It's going to be a hard game, but I'm looking forward to it.”
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