CITY’S EURO ADVENTURE PROLONGED BY DUGGAN
SO REMARKABLE has Manchester City’s season been that the success still hasn’t sunk in for Toni Duggan – despite her wonder goal that booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Leading Brondby 1-0 after the first leg in Manchester, City got the vital away goal in Denmark on Wednesday on 64 minutes.
Jane Ross looped the ball to Duggan, who swivelled and fired a perfect half-volley in off the post from 25 yards with her weaker left foot.
Nanna Christiansen did score shortly after to make it 1-1 on the night, but the English side held on for a 2-1 aggregate triumph, though Duggan was at a loss to explain her stunning strike.
“I can’t describe it, to be honest! It is natural instinct,” said the England forward. “It’s come in off a throw. Jane (Ross) has set it and I’ve turned on the volley and hit it with my left foot.
“I’m even more pleased I’ve scored with my left, but I’m just delighted we got the win and we’re through.”
City dominated the last16 second leg, with Nikita Parris firing over from 15 yards after Duggan’s header was superbly saved, before a Jill Scott header was cleared off the line.
Parris then hit the woodwork with a half-volley, while, even after their equaliser, Brondby rarely looked like scoring again as City marked their debut season in Europe with a last-eight berth.
They have already won the Continental Tyres Cup and FA WSL 1 this season, so a European adventure has been the cherry on top for Nick Cushing’s side, though Duggan admits it hasn’t been easy as the Brondby tie came at the conclusion to the domestic campaign.
“It was difficult at the end of a long season,” added the 25-year-old. “It’s been a tough few weeks – we had to win the league and the cup.
“It’s been hard mentally and physically, and Brondby are a great team. They’ve proved that in the past.
“But we stuck together, like I know we can, and we’ve come away with a draw, which was enough.
“I’m looking forward to a little break now because I don’t think what we’ve achieved has sunk in, but I’m sure it will in the offseason.”
City are the first English side to reach the Champions League quarter-finals since Bristol Academy two years ago and now eagerly await the draw, scheduled for this Friday.
The last-eight ties will be played in March, with teams such as FC Barcelona, Swedish club Rosengard and reigning champions Lyon – who trounced FC Zurich 17-0 on aggregate in the last 16 – as potential opponents. And, while she is eager to know who her side will face, Duggan doesn’t have any preferences.
“I’m buzzing,” she said. “This win caps an amazing season and we’re delighted to be in the quarter-finals.
“It’s been incredible this year.
“I’m looking forward to seeing who we get in the next round.
“I don’t care who it is! I know it’s going to be tough – there are some great teams left.”