Gareth Taylor says his injury-stricken Manchester Metropolis aspect won’t be outlined by their 3-0 defeat at Barcelona, which noticed them lose prime spot in Champions League Group D to the holders.
Metropolis, who’ve certified for the quarter-finals in second, struggled with out stars Khadija Shaw, Chloe Kelly, Alex Greenwood, Vivianne Miedema and Lauren Hemp, with Barcelona needing to win by two clear targets to complete above the guests on purpose distinction.
“This game won’t define us. We’ll learn, get better, get players back, start to get stronger and will improve,” stated Taylor.
“They’re a top team, we’re trying to do something similar and it takes time to build that. We were a little bit dysfunctional with and without the ball, [but] the effort from the girls was first class.”
The hosts recorded 30 photographs, forcing Metropolis goalkeeper Khiara Keating into 14 saves, earlier than lastly beating her simply earlier than half-time when Claudia Pina clinically fired residence from contained in the field.
The closest Metropolis got here to scoring was when Jill Roord’s long-range shot crashed again off the crossbar.
Barca netted the second simply earlier than the hour mark when Aitana Bonmati burst away from the Metropolis defence and completed by means of the legs of Keating.
Alexia Putellas quickly wrapped up the victory simply minutes after approaching off the bench, firing previous the unsighted Keating from the sting of the field.
Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas fires within the third
Each side completed on 15 factors however Barcelona snatched prime spot due to their superior purpose distinction that means Metropolis are actually within the second knockout pool and will face a harder draw.
Taylor: Defeat will not outline us
Man Metropolis boss Gareth Taylor stated:
“[It was an] Amazing effort, we know we weren’t functioning and effective in certain areas with and without the ball, but you couldn’t fault the effort of the players.
“This recreation will not outline us. We’ll study, get higher, get gamers again, begin to get stronger and can enhance. It was powerful. Barcelona set off at an excellent tempo initially, bought the bit between their enamel, attacked and pressed us actually exhausting.
“You have to give credit to them, they’re a top team, we’re trying to do something similar and it takes time to build that. We were a little bit dysfunctional with and without the ball tonight, the effort from the girls was first class.”
On Khiara Keating: “She was outstanding tonight, showed a lot of personality and a lot of maturity for someone so young on the biggest stage.”
Champions League quarter-finalists confirmed
Group winners are seeded within the draw for the final eight. The draw takes place on February 7, with ties performed on March 18-19 and 26-27.
Group winners:
- Lyon
- Chelsea
- Barcelona
- Arsenal
Runners-up:
- Wolfsburg
- Actual Madrid
- Manchester Metropolis
- Bayern Munich
