Manchester City cleared all the doubts early on and secures a comfortable win over AC Fiorentina. The Citizens should have no problems in going through to the quarter-finals with a 3-0 lead.
Italian side already achieved their best Women’s Champions League result by getting into the last 16. City, a clear favourite, started with their dominating performance already in the 2nd minute when Lauren Hemp headed a cross into the net. Just two minutes later, City doubled their lead via Ellen White’s precise shot.
FULL TIME | We're taking a healthy lead to Florence! 💙
🔵 3-0 🟣 #ManCity | https://t.co/HkTzfLv0HJ pic.twitter.com/5c5ojP05DY
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) March 3, 2021
Fiorentina had a chance to halve the deficit early in the second half but Frederikke Thøgersen’s shot went past the post from excellent position. After that, pace slowed down, but City managed to add a third goal after another cross and a header from Sam Mewis.
Manchester City are in a good position to play among the best 8 teams in the Europe after being knocked out in the last 16 stage in the previous season by Atlético Madrid.
Non il risultato che volevamo. Grazie a voi che ci avete sostenuto da casa.
INSIEME. SEMPRE.💜#ForzaViola 💜 #Fiorentina #UWCL #ManCityFiorentina pic.twitter.com/301K1nMDdV— ACF Fiorentina Femminile (@ACF_Womens) March 3, 2021
Reactions
“We’re delighted. There are definitely things we can improve on – at times, we were a little sloppy and could have been more patient – but overall, we’re happy with the performance. We scored three goals and kept a clean sheet. We wanted that third goal and it was important.“ – Ellen White, Manchester City forward
“I am sorry about the result. We conceded right away while we were still trying to adopt. They are very strong and they have shown it. After that, we came out well from the defence with good counter attack. Too bad for the third goal right before the end due to our mistake on the counterattack. However, we are improving and we have highlighted it today.” – Valery Vigilucci, Fiorentina winger
Score
Manchester City – AC Fiorentina 3-0 (2-0)
Scorers: 2′ Lauren Hemp (M), 4′ Ellen White (M), 89′ Sam Mewis (M)
Yellow cards: 70′ Claudia Neto (F)