More interesting takeaways from Matchweek 2 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Let’s recap what we learned.
Häcken’s Italian Nightmare: BK Häcken 0 – 3 Juventus
Juventus travelled north in search of their first three points in Europe after losing at the hands of Benfica’s Marit Lund’s brace in Turin a week prior. The visitors started in the ascendancy, taking a flurry of early shots, only one of which tested goalkeeper Hanna Karlsson. The 16-year-old was standing in for Jennifer Falk, who was sent off on Matchday 1 vs Inter Milan.
Häcken began to gain their footing on the quarter-hour mark, phasing through the Juventus midfield and creating good chances. Striker Anna Anvegård was particularly dangerous, at one point dribbling past Cecilia Salvai but hitting her rebounded shot wide. The Swedish side began to take control of chances after that. Both sides played a 3-4-3, where the natural weaknesses come in having just two midfielders and wingbacks who require stamina and tactical intelligence, as they provide width in attack and prevent the three centre-backs from becoming stretched in defense.
Häcken manager Elena Sadiku’s strategy relies heavily on crosses, such as when left wing-back Alva Serlund delivered the ball towards Tabitha Tindell on the back post. Unfortunately, the American was stretched awkwardly and couldn’t guide the ball on target. Despite having 31% possession, Häcken produced 19 crosses, eight of those coming from Serlund.
Juventus More Clinical
Juventus’ gameplay under Isaac Guerrero was centered on Martina Lenzini getting forward from right centre-back, and the team was more effective it its execution. Lenzini’s decoy run gave Amaiur Sarriegi space to play a one-two with Julia Bartel; Sarriegi found Tatiana Pinto and opened the scoring. Fifteen minutes later, Eva Schatzer’s chipped free-kick met Emma Stølen Godø’s head; the Norwegian’s run went unnoticed by the Häcken defence, doubling the Italians’ lead. The third goal was poor from Häcken’s view. A long ball from the Juventus defence was brought down; the control was laboured, allowing Bartel to intercept and play in Alba Redondo to round off the scoring.
Next Games:
Paris FC vs BK Häcken
Austria Wien vs Juventus
Good Night Vienna: Austria Wien 1 – 1 Inter Milan
Inter made the trip across the border to Vienna for their first-ever Champions League away day. Milan were already on three points after beating BK Häcken in their opener. Austria Wien began on the front foot, pressuring their visitors and giving them no time on the ball. The first shot was Patricia Pfanner’s; her low drive was too central to trouble Cecilía Rúnarsdóttir. The Violets continued to control the tempo and dominate the stats, leading to a change in the score. Modesta Uka was given free licence to roam around and pick up interesting positions. This time she found herself around forty yards out and on the right wing; the Kosovan jinked inside and shot from around thirty yards. The powerful shot snuck in under the Icelandic keeper, handing the hosts a deserved lead.
Inter Turn the Tide
The second half forced David Sassarini into four half-time changes. Inter continued in a 4-4-2 as Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir dropped deeper to protect the back line and create a 3v2 in build-up against Uka and Valentina Pötzl. The oncoming Lina Magull sought to take control of the game, and the addition of Brittany Raphino was positive. The striker allowed Inter to play long balls and relieve the pressure on the defense while allowing the midfield to get forward.
Wien began to sit deeper as the half progressed, their chances became scarce, relying on the odd counter or set piece. As the clock ticked into the ninety-third and final minute, Milan sent up their keeper in hope of an equaliser. The equalizer would come from Ivana Andrés following a scramble, her shot deflecting off a Wien defender and into the net. It denied Vienna a maiden Champions League victory and left Inter as one of nine unbeaten sides after two games.
Although Austria Wien will be disappointed to have conceded late, they can still be happy with their performance, particularly in the first half. Across 90 minutes, Inter Milan’s goalkeeper attempted the second most passes (57), only outdone by centre-back Ivana Andrés (69).
Vienna did not score from a set piece in this match but looked very dangerous from corners and free kicks, especially with the quality of Uka’s left foot.
Next Games:
Austria Wien vs Juventus
OL Lyonnes vs Inter Milan
Don’t Look Back in Anger! Manchester City 1 – 1 Real Madrid
Manchester was the venue for Thursday’s late kick-off. The game started with a brief spark; the red-hot Felicia Schröder hit the stanchion after capitalising on a poor City backpass. City thought they had the lead on ten minutes; Alex Greenwood’s delivery found Mary Fowler, whose header was inches away from crossing the line.
The game soon became stuck in midfield as both sides figured each other out. Madrid’s front three of Linda Caicedo, Athenea del Castillo and Schröder began to move fluidly amongst each other, ultimately leading to Ayaka Yamashita’s save and later Madrid’s opener. As City got into the game and looked dangerous on their left-hand side with Lauren Hemp and Aoba Fujino, space was left for Caicedo to pick the ball up on the halfway line; as she entered the area, a step over was enough to trick Greenwood into stuttering, allowing the Colombian to finish into the bottom corner.
The Second Half
The second half began quickly. Both sides traded punches through Schröder and Hasegawa; neither attempt troubled the keepers too much. From the resulting goal-kick, City pressed high and in numbers, causing Madrid to cede possession near their box; Hasegawa threaded a pass to Khadija Shaw, who in turn swivelled and excellently found the bottom corner. From that moment on, City seemed to take control. No less than two minutes later, Hemp crossed for Shaw; her close-range header sailed over. Minutes later, the visitors successfully pressed Grace Clinton off the ball; Caicedo’s shot flashed just past the post.
Caicedo continued to haunt the Citizens’ defence; she could only shoot at Yamashia, following a defensive muddle-up. Las Blancas had the ball in the net in the 89th minute when Silvia Cristóbal’s shot hit the top corner. The goal was not given because the referee blocked Beth Mead’s path, preventing her from closing the ball down, eventually resulting in a Manchester City drop ball. A tough one to swallow for Real Madrid.
Las Merengues will be a mixture of happy and frustrated after taking two points from PSG and Manchester City, which they may not have in previous years. The addition of Bella Andersson, who can defend the box and play out from the back, seems astute; fellow Swede Felicia Schröder and Lineth Beerensteyn add goals and Champions League experience. Elisa Senß gives the midfield the bite; Andreia Jacinto guile.
This year’s campaign provides Madrid with their best chance of breaking through their quarter-final glass ceiling.
Next Games:
Manchester City vs PSG
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid
The Other Results
- Paris FC 2 – 2 Arsenal
- Roma 0 – 6 Barcelona
- Benfica 0 – 3 Bayern Munich
- OL Lyonnes 0 – 0 Chelsea
- HB Køge 5 – 1 Servette
- Paris Saint-Germain 5 – 0 Oud-Heverlee Leuven
