UWCL: Barcelona top Group D with win over Manchester City | OneFootball

Goals from Claudia Pina, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas handed Barcelona all three points from their final Champions League group game against Manchester City. Topping the group on goal difference, the Spanish side finished the group stage taking 15 of the possible 18 points on offer.

Starting XI’s

Barcelona

Coll; Paredes, Leon, Paralluelo, Pina, Guijarro, Bonmati, Pajor, Walsh, Battle, Brugts

Manchester City

Keating; Aleixandri, Fowler, Roord, Kennedy, Ouahabi, Park, Casparij, Blindkilde Brown, Fujino, Hasegawa

How it went

From the off the hosts were firmly in control of the tie. Forcing Manchester City further up the pitch, the Catalan side restricted their opponents to half chances and shots from distance for much of the first half. Shortly before the break, Claudia Pina gave her side the lead firing the ball home through a congested penalty area.

The 57th minute saw Aitana Bonmati double the hosts lead, firing the ball beyond Khiara Keating. From there, the Spanish side were firmly in control with Manchester City unable to find a route back into the clash. Alexia Putellas rounded the goal scoring action off, converting Patri Guijarro’s assist in the 69th minute.

Embed from Getty Images

The match once again highlighted several core issues within Manchester City’s squad. Key injuries to vital players have left Gareth Taylor’s squad depleted with their attacking lineup particularly impacted. With Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema all unavailable for selection, the Sky Blues have struggled to find a creative outlet in their latest run of games. Whilst Jill Roord hit the crossbar in the opening half, the visitors lacked clear cut chances throughout the game.

Barcelona take top spot in Group D having secured 15 points whilst Manchester City progress as group runners up.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: