Gareth Taylor and his Manchester City squad are buzzing with excitement as they prepare for their first-ever appearance in the Champions League group stages, facing off against none other than the reigning champions, Barcelona. When asked if they see Barcelona as the “best team in the world,” both Taylor and team captain Alex Greenwood answered emphatically, “Yes.”
As they gear up for this pivotal match at a sold-out Joie Stadium, City will confront an opponent that has dominated women’s football, winning the Women’s Champions League for the past two years, featuring the last two Ballon d’Or winners, and averaging an impressive five goals per game in their domestic league. This match is a crucial opportunity for City to assess how far they have come since their last encounter with Barcelona three and a half years ago.
Looking back on their journey back to European competition after being eliminated by Barcelona in the 2021 quarter-finals, Taylor acknowledged the significant changes within the squad, noting that only Greenwood and Chloe Kelly remain from that starting lineup. “It’s great to be back,” Taylor shared. “We want to see the best players on the biggest stage, and this is it. They’ve been the best team in the world lately.”
While recognizing Barcelona’s impressive record, including 18 consecutive victories in the Spanish top flight, Taylor expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the challenge. “This is a great opportunity for us to see where we stand,” he remarked, acknowledging that although Barcelona has reached five of the last six European finals, his team is fully prepared to present a formidable challenge.
Greenwood echoed this enthusiasm, stating, “As a team, we’re excited to test ourselves against the best. They’re champions for a reason, and while we’ll respect Barcelona, we also want to impose our game on them. I believe we belong in this competition.”
This match signifies a long-awaited return for City to the Women’s Champions League, a stage they’ve been eager to reach since the format’s inception in 2021. It’s a daunting challenge, considering Barcelona has only lost one of their last 18 group fixtures, but City is determined to make their mark against such a prestigious opponent.
