Fiorentina Women v Manchester City Women: Match Preview, Team News And Prediction

Manchester City Women take on Fiorentina today in order to cement their place in the quarter final of the Champions League.

The blues take a 3-0 lead to Italy, thanks to first leg goals from Ellen White, Lauren Hemp and Sam Mewis, and look to complete the Italian Job this afternoon.

City have reached the last eight twice in five years, and on each occasion they progressed to the semi-final. Unfortunately, on each of those occasions, they came up against Lyon and were beaten both times.

Form

City go into the match on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton at the weekend, which kept them in touch with league leaders Chelsea at the top of the WSL. City have won 12 of their last 13 matches in all competitions, with the only blip being a 4-2 home defeat to Chelsea in the Women’s League Cup.

City have kept five clean sheets from their last six games, while scoring 17, with the only team to breach the City defence being Arsenal, who were beaten 2-1 on their own patch.

Team News

American stars Abby Dhalkemper and Rose Lavelle will be hoping to start the match after being left on the bench for Sunday’s victory over the Toffees. White and Hemp, who have been on form for City recently, will be expected to start, although manager Gareth Taylor may be tempted to rest the pair with the blues having such a commanding lead.

What The Gaffer Says

“We need to be aware that they [Fiorentina] have to go for it. Sometimes, when you have nothing to lose, teams can come out and be braver.

“The last three teams we’ve played in all competitions have been difficult to break down with a low block. It could come that way and be a case of damage limitation, but they could also come out and really go for it.

On City’s first leg lead, Taylor said “It’s deemed a good scoreline to have in the first leg, home or away, which is great, and it’s really exciting to be able to travel to Florence. We’re very fortunate for that to happen and we’re looking forward to the game.

“These games are extra special and the players would agree. It’s a different format, more tactical and more thought goes in, in between games in terms of what’s required.”

Prediction

As with the first leg I think City will have too much for the Italian side. Although Fiorentina will make it tough, I’m backing the girls to finish the job.

Fiorentina Women 0-2 Manchester City Women