Lauren Hemp ready for ‘tough tasks ahead’ after Manchester City’s ‘statement’ win against Barcelona
LAUREN HEMP insists Manchester City have made a statement with their gritty 2-0 win against Barcelona in the Champions League.
The City ace praised defender Naomi Layzell’s goalscoring display during the defeat of the contest’s winners before their return to WSL action on Sunday.
Spain’s top-flight leaders, who Cityzens boss Gareth Taylor described as the best side in the world, fell to their first loss in the tournament’s group stage on Wednesday.
A prodded finish from Layzell, her first in a Man City shirt and in the contest, gave Taylor’s side the lead in the first half.
And that opener, assisted by Vivianne Miedema’s flicked header, was followed by Khadija Shaw rounding Barca goalkeeper Cata Coll late in the game to slot home to secure the points.
The result saw the three-time Champions League winners beaten for the first time ever in the competitions group stage and for the first time this season.
And Hemp and her team-mates maintained their unbeaten run across all contests before their WSL clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Hemp said: “Hopefully that puts a statement out on a good start in the group stages.
“It was a great win. I thought in the first half, we dominated, possession.
“And we created a lot of chances and in the second half, but it looked a bit different.
“I felt like we defended so well, put our bodies on the line.
“We’ve still got to play them again. It’s going to be a tough task going to their place.”
City, who take on Austrian team SKN St Polten in the tournament next Wednesday, handed a group stage debut to centre-back Layzell.
The England Under-23s central defender, signed from Bristol City in August for a record fee, played as a full-back in the Joie Stadium duel.
The Wednesday night game was the defender’s first time playing in the tournament’s group stage.
It also came almost five years on from Layzell making her debut appearance in the WSL for the Robins against the club she would eventually join this summer.
And the player, who went off injured after appearing to her roll her ankle, rewarded boss Taylor’s faith by helping her club shut out some of the most lethal attacking talents in Europe
These included Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas and Barca striker Ewa Pajor.
Hemp added: “She’s done so well since she got here. I’m proud of her.
“Not only did she score, but she defended so well, kept the ball most of the time and topped it off with a goal which was amazing and we’re all so happy for her.”
Chelsea narrowly defeating Real Madrid in their group stage opener one night before Man City’s victory, made it good week for English clubs going up against two of the best sides in Spain’s top tier.
On her side’s chances of going all the way in the contest, Hemp said: “Every game is going to be different.
“We know there are so many tough tasks ahead of us. We’re just going to take it one game at a time.