WALSH AND CO GEARED UP FOR BRONDBY

MANCHESTER City youngster Keira Walsh is taking nothing for granted ahead of her side’s last home game of 2016 when they face Brøndby IF in the UEFA Women’s Champions League this Wednesday.

This season’s double winners face the ten-times Danish champions at the Academy Stadium in the first leg of their last 16 encounter, knowing that a win would put them in a strong position to advance to the quarter-finals, which do not take place until March.

Walsh, who at 19 is one of the youngest members of the first-team squad, has been an important part of the Manchester City puzzle this season, and learnt very quickly from the last 32 tie against Russian side Zvezda that the challenges are very different in the Champions League to those domestically.

“You can never write off your opposition in a competition like the Champions League,” said the striker.

“Despite the score against Zvezda in the first leg (City won 2-0), the second leg away from home was difficult. It was a hostile atmosphere, different to what we are used to at home, and it wasn’t easy.”

It says something then that City triumphed 4-0 away from home.

The Danes have played every season in Europe since 2003/2004, reaching the semi-finals just two years ago, when they were knocked out by eventual champions FFC Frankfurt.

Walsh, who is playing her first full season as a professional after signing a contract with City in June last year, is aware of the test her side face.

“We’re expecting Brøndby to be a physical team, like a lot of the Scandinavian sides are, but after a strong domestic season, we couldn’t be better prepared and are really looking forward to the tie.”

With the short, one-off Spring Series due to kick-off in February, this presents a potential first for an English club, as City could enter the last eight having played competitive football before the tie.

“The quarter-finals see some big teams qualify, so the Spring Series could be a massive help,” said Walsh. “But we have to progress past Brøndby first, which won’t be easy.

“That’s all we’re thinking about.”