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Manchester City take on FC Barcelona in their Women’s Champions League group stage opener in what we be a difficult and testing encounter against the reigning champions.
Gareth Taylor’s side came through qualifying to reach this stage of the tournament and impressed with a superb 8-0 aggregate win over Paris FC. They won the first leg 5-0 away from home with Vivianne Mediema, Jess Park, Mary Fowler and Chloe Kelly all on the scoresheet before an equally comfortable 3-0 victory at the Joie Stadium back in September.
City have been drawn against Barca, Swedish side Hammarby and Austria’s St Polten in Group D, with the most demanding of those fixtures first up. A win against Barcelona will put them in pole position to qualify for the knockout rounds. But it won’t be easy, Barcelona have made an incredible start to their domestic campaign, with five wins and 25 goals across their first five games meaning things will be tough for City tonight.
Follow all the Women’s Champions League action with our live blog below, following the conclusion of Bayern v Arsenal:
GOAL! 56’ – Bayern 2-1 Arsenal
There’s the goal – and it has been coming! A quick move upfield sees Lohmann played in down the right channel behind McCabe and the 24-year-old arrows in a low strike, a fine hit but really, Zinsberger has to be disappointed – a classic near-post strike and she’s beaten all ends up.
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 19:04
54’ – Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
Eidevall applauds his players from the touchline as they continue to work hard to hold Bayern at bay – but it’s beginning to be one-way traffic somewhat.
Simon lets fly from 25 yards with an angled, left-footed drive, but that one is routine for Zinsberger to make the save.
Bayern with more shots in the game than Arsenal now, six to five.
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 19:01
50’ – Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
Bayern looking a lot more comfortable on the ball at the start of this half – they’ve picked up where they left off, much higher upfield and swinging the ball in at will. Another cross from the right now finds Harder and she nods goalward – but wide again.
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 18:56
46′ – Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
OK – back to Arsenal, and back underway.
And straight from kick-off it’s almost 2-1 to Bayern – the ball is rolled to Simon and she wallops a low strike towards goal, Zinsberger just getting a touch on the effort to turn it around the post and wide.
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 18:53
Man City v Barcelona – confirmed lineups
Team news is out for tonight’s 8pm kick-off – Man City vs Barcelona!
Man City XI: Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Miedema, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
Bacelona XI: Coll, Maria Leon, Graham, Alexia, Patri, Aitana, Rolfo, Pajor, Walsh, O. Battle, Engen
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 18:50
HT – Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
There’s the whistle and we’re all square, one apiece at half-time.
Caldentey’s opener was well-taken after a fine McCabe cross, but Glodis Perla looped in an equalising header just a couple of minutes before the interval.
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 18:36
45’ – Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
Three minutes added on at the end of the first half – the Gunners couldn’t quite get to the break with the lead intact.
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 18:33
GOAL! 42’ – Bayern 1-1 Arsenal
First chance for the hosts – good save from Zinsberger! A slip by McCabe and Gwinn is in, firing in a shot which is high and hard…and beaten away by the keeper.
Promising for Bayern – and as the ball comes back into the box by Stanway, Glodis Perla Viggosdottir is still up from the set piece and she leaps to divert a header over Zinsberger and into the far corner off the post!
All square again before the break.
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 18:31
40’ – Bayern 0-1 Arsenal
Five minutes to the break and Arsenal just now sitting off a little for the first time – more possession and time on the ball now for Stanway and Co. Can they fashion something before the interval? It has been very low-key from them so far.
Yellow card now for Codina for dragging down Harder as she looked to race onto a long ball over the top – perhaps unnecessary, but Arsenal clear the freekick so no immediate damage done.
Karl Matchett9 October 2024 18:28
