Gareth Taylor said Manchester City had taken a “big step” forward but were not getting carried away after they produced a statement win on their Champions League return by beating holders Barcelona 2-0 at the Joie Stadium.
City’s Group D opener saw them making their comeback having not played in the competition proper since a 2020-21 quarter-final second leg against Barca at the same venue, which they won 2-1, but lost the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
The Catalan side claimed the trophy that season and have featured in each of the three finals since, winning the last two.
City boss Taylor, in charge since May 2020, said Wednesday’s game ranked “right up there” in terms of results and displays from his tenure.
Nights like these at the Joie 🤗#ManCity | #UWCL pic.twitter.com/pSrff5bRax
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) October 9, 2024
When asked what defeating the champions of the past two editions showed about City’s credentials in the competition this season, Taylor said: “I think we’ve taken a step forward tonight, I think it’s a big step for us.
“We’re super honoured to be in the competition, and enjoying the journey, but we feel we just need to do ourselves justice. There’s a lot of very good teams in this competition…and Barcelona, why they are the best, is because they bounce back from these moments straight away.
“It’s good for us, a nice moment for us, but we’re not getting carried away at all. We’ve spent three seasons out of this competition, we know how tough it is to make it, and now all we want to do is create the next objective, which is to make the quarter-finals.”
Naomi Layzell, the 20-year-old defender signed from Bristol City in the summer, put the hosts in front with a 36th-minute finish, the first goal of her career.
Layzell then added an assist to her memorable evening when she set up Khadija Shaw’s strike with 13 minutes of normal time to go, before sustaining an injury late on.
On Layzell, who has trained with the senior England squad, Taylor said: “It was a weird action. My first instinct was I hope that’s not an Achilles, but she seems to be kind of OK, presenting more like a rolled ankle, but hasn’t actually rolled it. At the moment our physios are fairly positive.
“But second Champions League game (having played in the qualifying round), scoring and assisting against Barcelona, playing out of position – unbelievable.
“It is special. If you get to know Naomi, you’d probably say it doesn’t surprise you. She takes on information very well.
“She’s playing in her not favoured position at right-back – her profile is a centre-back for sure. To go in and play the way she has done, in the Women’s Super League but also the Champions League qualifiers and tonight, she’ll be on cloud nine and hopefully her injury is not too bad.”
While an eventful first half saw both sides hit the post early on – Caroline Graham Hansen for Barca and Lauren Hemp for City – it was the hosts who were on top for the most part.
The visitors improved as they pushed for an equaliser after the break but were unable to find one before Shaw notched the second as it proved a disappointing evening for the likes of former City midfielder Keira Walsh and Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas.
Barca boss Pere Romeu said: “It was definitely one half to each team. When we were playing at our best was when we conceded (the second).
“I think if you look at ways we could better our performance today, we need to be more determined in our press and also more clinical with our finishing.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Neuer vs Auckland City Fabrizio Romano when asked about the Ballon d'Or. lol Oh no This Rayan X Cherki They knew he wouldn’t save it …Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, FootballWTF247, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC, MaguireSkills)...
Paris Saint-Germain had arguably the most dominant Champions League final win in the tournament's history.Beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final, it is a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.With a core of exciting young players, this PSG side could dominate Europe for years.The city of Paris finally has a European champion, and their team is expected to go from streng...
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training sessionLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from A...
The Italian champs laid down the law to Manchester rivals City and United over deals for their exiled wingers.Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summerAlejandro Garnacho is like to depart Old TraffordUnited want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer for the 20-year-old Argentina international.However, City will be prepared to accept a fee of around £45m for Grealish, 29...
Arteta makes transfer decision on Arsenal defensive duoArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reached the decision over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, with the defensive duo finding themselves on AC Milan's radar.Man Utd eye Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi to replace OnanaThe Red Devils have set their sights on Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as they continue their quest to...
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-finalRayan Cherki has laid out his ambitions after joining Manchester City and has set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or. WHAT HAPPENED?New Manchester City signing Cherki has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or at his new club, with the young attacking midfielder sharing his ambition of following in the footsteps of fellow team-mate ...
Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second LegAthletic Club have sent a warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Nico Williams telling La Blaugrana to meet the player's release clause. FBL-EUR-C3-ATHLETIC BILBAO-ROMAWHAT HAPPENED?The seemingly never-ending transfer saga between Williams and La Blaugrana took another turn this week, as representatives of Athletic...
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueMarcus Rashford has been training in Spain to build up his fitness ahead of a potential transfer as Barcelona track the Manchester United outcast.WHAT HAPPENED?Rashford is training in Marbella during the post-season in an attempt to be fit and raring to go for the 2025-26 campaign. The England international is facing an uncertain future, with United ...
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Ange Postecoglou has been approached by Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli and is considering their offer after being sacked by Tottenham.WHAT HAPPENED?Postecoglou is considering an approach from Al-Ahli as he weighs up his next move after being sacked by Tottenham. The Sun claim the Saudi Pro League outfit have offered the Greek-Austral...
AFC Bournemouth v Everton FC - Premier LeagueBournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie went on a spending spree with his partner Georgina Bell, purchasing six properties in Glasgow in one day.WHAT HAPPENED?A report from The Sun reveals that Bournemouth midfielder Christie recently expanded his property empire by going on a seven-figure spending spree, purchasing as many as six flats in Glasgow in one d...
- 1 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 2 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 3 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 4 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 5 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 8 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign
- 9 Baldanzi scores winner as Italy beat Romania to start U21 Euros
- 10 Man Utd ANNOUNCE Matheus Cunha's arrival