The London City Lionesses are a club that does things differently and, backed by American billionaire Michele Kang, they have no qualms about disrupting the current order.
They are an independent women’s football club who spent big during the transfer window and secured a record shirt deal with Nike, estimated to be worth over £3million per year.
They built their own training center in Kent and persuaded superstars like Alexia Putellas to join them this summer.
Spain international Putellas presented her latest Ballon d’Or trophy – the third of her career – before kick-off on Sunday.
The London City Lionesses are clearly no minnows, but even a team full of superstars needs time to gel.
It is for this reason that people doubted whether they would be ready this season to qualify for the Champions League and break the traditional top three in the WSL.
But on Sunday’s show, they’re not as far away as we thought.
Manager Eder Maestre said the team’s performance is already at the desired level, but results have not always shown it and they still have work to do.
“That’s why it’s a very frustrating situation. We’ve talked a lot about respecting identity and it doesn’t matter which team we face,” said the Spaniard.
“The next step in this project was to show everyone that we could perform, while respecting this identity that we are trying to build on.
“That’s why it’s doubly frustrating, because I think the result is not the one we deserve. Manchester City are more mature.
“They’re more used to it. When you have that consistency and you’re very used to playing those kinds of games, maybe you have more experience.
“That’s why we are very nervous in the moments when we have to be more clinical.”
Where London City fell, that’s where Manchester City stood.
Moments of brilliance from world-class players Shaw and Hemp delivered the goods and as London City’s pressure increased, so did Manchester City’s resilience.
It is this consistency throughout the 90 minutes and the season as a whole that Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz believes will prove the difference.
“They are a very good team and they really showed the highest level,” Jeglertz said.
“What it means to be at the top of this league is to play week in, week out and at the same level – and find different levels to win.
“That’s what we created. That’s what everyone who wants to win something should be able to do. To compete, you have to compete the entire season.”
Gn sports
