Man City women’s player ratings vs Barcelona: Lauren Hemp shines & Lionesses prospect Naomi Layzell announces herself as Cityzens humble European champions on Champions League return
England head coach Sarina Wiegman was in attendance and will have been delighted with what she saw on an incredible night for Gareth Taylor's side
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Manchester City sent a statement to the rest of Europe as they defeated Barcelona, winners of the last two Champions League titles, 2-0 on Wednesday night. It was an outstanding collective effort from the English side on their first appearance in the competition proper since 2021, but the headlines were grabbed by 20-year-old defender Naomi Layzell, a surprise starter, as she contributed a goal and an assist to a thoroughly impressive win.
Despite hitting the post after just four minutes through Caroline Graham Hansen, Barca were surprisingly sloppy as they started their European title defence, though City do deserve some credit for that because of the intensity of their pressing. Gareth Taylor’s side were right in the faces of their opponents and fired a warning shot of their own early on, when Lauren Hemp rattled the upright.
But after Laia Aleixandri had to perform defensive heroics with a block on the line to deny Ewa Pajor, it was an unlikely goal-scorer who broke the deadlock. Barca goalkeeper Cata Coll made a terrific save to deny Jess Park initially, but was all at sea from the resulting corner and City capitalised. Vivianne Miedema headed the ball across the face of goal and there was Layzell to bundle it home for the first of her senior career.
With England boss Sarina Wiegman watching on, Layzell then provided the killer ball after the break which allowed Khadija Shaw to confidently slot home and make it 2-0 with little over 10 minutes to go. It was against the run of play, Barca having upped the intensity in the second half, but that City shot-stopper Ayaka Yamashita rarely made anything more than a comfortable save will disappoint the Catalans as they suffered a surprising, though not undeserved, loss.
GOAL rates Man City’s players from the Joie Stadium…
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GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Ayaka Yamashita (6/10):
Was only forced into a couple of comfortable saves. Distribution was good.
Naomi Layzell (9/10):
Could’ve been overawed but stuck to the task of marking Putellas well and was in the right place at the right time for her goal. Inch-perfect assist for the second.
Laia Aleixandri (8/10):
Did well to stay disciplined and composed after an early booking, making two particularly fantastic blocks.
Alex Greenwood (7/10):
Positioned herself well defensively and was accurate in possession.
Kerstin Casparij (7/10):
Had the difficult job of marking Graham Hansen and yet did brilliantly.
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GettyMidfield
Yui Hasegawa (8/10):
Must have covered every blade of grass. Won possession back more than any other player and protected the ball exceptionally.
Jess Park (7/10):
Didn’t have a ton of touches but was efficient with the ball when she got it.
Vivianne Miedema (7/10):
Was so often involved in City’s brightest moments, though did need Aleixandri to save her blushes at the other end when she inadvertently slipped Pajor in.
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AFPAttack
Mary Fowler (7/10):
A really bright performance and a hard-working one, too.
Khadija Shaw (8/10):
Didn’t have a lot of service but dropped deep to get involved and create for others instead, then put away her big chance.
Lauren Hemp (9/10):
Was an absolute livewire going forward and extremely committed to helping Casparij deal with Graham Hansen on the other side of the ball.
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AFPSubs & Manager
Jill Roord (N/A):
On the latter stages to help City see the game out.
Aoba Fujino (N/A):
Added lots of energy in her short cameo.
Alanna Kennedy (N/A):
Gave Aleixandri a well-deserved rest in the final few minutes.
Gareth Taylor (8/10):
Was brave with his team selection, trusting Layzell in the biggest game of her young career to date and sticking with a very attack-minded midfield. But both decisions were justified on a tremendous night for him and his team.
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