Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1(1) 2021-22

British trio in good positions

All three British teams will go into the second legs of their respective UEFA Women's
Champions League ties in a strong position as they seek a place in the group stages of the
revamped competition.
Arsenal were first in action on Tuesday as they played host to Slavia Prague
in their first leg and ran out convincing 3-0 winners in new manager Jonas Eidevall’s first
competitive home match in front of a crowd at Meadow Park. The Gunners got off to a
great start with new signing Nikita Parris heading in a Steph Catley cross after just two
minutes and Kim Little quickly made it two, slotting home from the penalty spot after
Caitlin Foord had been fouled in the area. The final goal came in the second half, Beth
Mead clipping a pass for Vivianne Miedema to run through and score her 96th goal for
the club.
The second leg of this tie will be played at the Eden Stadium next Thursday
(5.30pm BST kick off).
Manchester City meanwhile had to play away to Real Madrid in their first leg
and an away goal has given them a slender advantage as the teams finished level at 1-1.
Just like Arsenal, City handed three debuts to new summer arrivals but after a bright
start, came under pressure at times from a lively Real side at the Estadio Alfredo di
Stefano and the home side squandered a great chance to take the lead just before half
time when Esther Gonzalez missed from the penalty spot. City were quick out of the
blocks after the break and a scramble in the area ended with Caroline Weir drilling in a
low shot to give them the lead. Esther headed against the bar at the other end a minute
later and City needed to defend stoutly to stay in front, but Jill Scott was unlucky not to
double their lead when her goal was ruled out for a foul. Just as it seemed that the
Cityzens had weathered the second half storm, Kenti Robles fired home an injury time
equaliser to bring Real back on level terms, but City still having matters in their hands
when the teams meet again at the Academy Stadium next Wednesday.
Glasgow City had to travel to take on Swiss champions Servette and are in a
similar position, having also drawn 1-1. The home side inflicted early pressure without
making a breakthrough and after the first half ended goalless, Servette took the lead five
minutes after the restart when Jade Boho beat Lee Alexander with a looping header
following a free kick. City responded well to going behind, with Janine van Wyk forcing
an excellent save from Ines Pereira shortly afterwards, however the Servette goalkeeper
had no answer when Claire Walsh floated a pass over the home defence for the onrunning
Clare Shine to sweetly strike a first time volley from the edge of the area and inside the
far post for a precious away goal. The second leg will be at the Broadwood Stadium next
Wednesday (3.15pm).
Twelve two-legged ties are currently taking place, with a place in the group stages
on offer for each of the winners to join the four exempted teams - holders Barcelona,
Chelsea, Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich. The draw for the group stages takes
place on Monday 13th September and matches will commence in October.
Arsenal and Glasgow City were the two British teams to make it through the First
Round qualifying groups, with the other three narrowly missing out. A 2-1 defeat to
Levante put paid to Celtic’s chances, whilst Glentoran lost 1-0 to Glasgow City’s current
opponents, Servette. Swansea City meanwhile took CSKA Moscow all the way to extra
time before eventually going down 4-1.
Issue no. 1 - 2 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk