Barca end the Blues’ Euro dream
CITY have been knocked out of the Women’s Champions League by Barcelona despite a 2-1 win in the quarter-final second leg.
A week on from their 3-0 first-leg loss in Monza, the Blues’ hopes of turning the tie around at the Academy Stadium were boosted in the 20th minute by Janine Beckie’s close-range finish.
But after some great work from Ellie Roebuck and Lucy Bronze to keep Barca at bay, the visitors then netted just before the hour mark through Asisat Oshoala.
Left requiring something close to a miracle, City replied with a 68th-minute Sam Mewis penalty but could add nothing further as they lost 4-2 on aggregate.
Barca advance to a semifinal meeting with either holders Lyon or Paris St Germain - the champions lead 1-0 from their first leg.
As well as again being without injured skipper Steph Houghton, who sat out for a fifth successive game, City headed into the match with forward Lauren Hemp absent due to an ear infection.
”I was really proud,” said City boss Gareth Taylor. “We left everything out there, which is what we asked of them.
“It wasn’t quite enough, although at one stage, it looked like it was on.
“We started the game really well but this is the highest level and sometimes, you get punished.
“We knew an away goal would probably kill us and put the tie to bed but up to that point, things looked good and we were gaining opportunities.
“We knew the chances from the first leg would happen again if we did the right things and if we’d have scored a second, it would have given us impetus. After their goal went in, I thought the character was top - to be able to carry on and continue fighting.”