WSL Full-Time
·21 November 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsWSL Full-Time
·21 November 2024
The Cityzens have travelled to Sweden ahead of their Matchday 4 fixture against Hammarby IF this evening.
Manchester City can secure qualification for the knockout stages with a positive result but head coach Taylor says that his side want more than qualification, they want to win every game.
“When we got into the group stage, the objective was then to qualify for the next stage,” Taylor said when speaking ahead of tonight’s fixture. “Of course, we want to do that, we are in a good position to do that but we want to win every game that we play.
“After this [international] break, we have the next block of games which complete the Champions League group stage which involves Pölten at home and Barcelona away.”
Manchester City were 2-0 winners against Hammarby in the reverse fixture last week. Taylor was impressed with the Swedish side’s physicality in that match.
He said “They’re a big, physical, strong team which is what we were aware of. Physically, they’re very aggressive in what they do with and without the ball; set plays, you also have to be really switched on because they’re very strong in that part of their game.
“They’re quite aggressive in moments when they do come out and press against us but we’ve worked really hard on that to make sure we are set up and ready for it.”
Hammarby are known for their fanatical fanbase and Taylor says that his side are ready to feel some hostility.
He said “It’s going to be a hostile atmosphere which is really good. It’s something different to what we would normally experience but I think that the girls are really excited about that.
“I watched their previous [home] game against Pölten and the atmosphere was really good. They get behind the team, they’re constantly cheering all of the time and it’s something that we experienced on a smaller scale at The Joie Stadium in the original game.”
Manchester City’s UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage fixture against Hammarby IF kicks-off at 5.45pm this evening.