London City Lionesses can challenge the WSL’s very best says Maestre | OneFootball

London City Lionesses head coach Eder Maestre says that his side believe that they can challenge every team in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

The Pride have made some eye-catching additions over the summer with the likes of Mary Earps, Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani making moves to The Copperjax Community Stadium.

It will be fascinating to see what London City Lionesses can achieve this season and head coach Maestre says that his side can challenge the very best.

“When we plan for every match, we really think that we will be able to win,” Maestre said when speaking in a London City Lionesses media conference. “We will take a game-by-game mentality but if you think that you are going to be able to win every match with all the games ahead to play, the maths are on your side.

“We know it’s going to be very difficult because it’s not only about having all these talented players, you need to build something bigger; an identity, working culture. It’s going to be very challenging but with the players that we have, we can align them with the same proposal and put them on the same page. We can create a winning mentality.

“I think we are going to be close to pushing the best teams in the competition for sure.”

London City Lionesses kick-off the new Barclays Women’s Super League season with a sold out home fixture against Manchester United. Maestre wants to see his side perform to a high level against The Red Devils.

He said “We will be very committed to doing our best and trying to win a very good game for the fans and for everybody at the club. Everybody has those expectations and hopefully, we will reach them. 

“We want to play a very good game but it’s going to be tough. These are the games where we need to be dominant, we need to win and we need to be strong. We want to reach the targets that we have, so we are committed, knowing how important this game is. 

“It’s the first game, we are opening the competition and we have signed a lot of talent this summer. All eyes will be on this game but hopefully, we can put out the best version [of ourselves].”

Manchester United arrive in Bromley under the leadership of new head coach Eva Olid. Maestre explained what he expects to see from an Olid-led Manchester United side.

He said “She’s had a very good experience in the Scottish league. She’s a typical Spanish coach, I think she loves possession, she loves being dominant. She wants her team to narrow and intensify the inside, unbalance the opponent and find gaps to exploit and break with speed.

“It’s going to be very challenging because I think they are going to be very fluid in the way that they sit and rotate players, try to create symmetries, have full-backs in the channels and the wingers inside.

“Overloading and intensifying the inside will provide them with a lot of opportunities to exploit the spaces in-behind, so we have to consider all of the things that they will bring onto the pitch.

“She is going to be a successful coach and she will create a very strong playing identity at Manchester United.”

London City Lionesses’ Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Manchester United kicks-off at 7pm on Friday night.