Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross on the Europa Cup: “A great opportunity” | OneFootball

Leanne Ross lifts the league trophy in 2023. Image Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross might be a little disappointed that her team aren’t competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League this season.

But she’s reminded her players that playing in the inaugural Women’s Europa Cup is a fantastic stage for them.

“It’s a great opportunity,” she said in comments released to the media. “I like to think we’re still able to go and play at the top level in terms of the Champions League, but you can really see across the board how teams are thriving from having that opportunity for another trophy to go and win.

“The experience that the players can get by playing different European opposition, you can’t buy that.”

Leanne Ross: The tie can’t be won or lost in this first game

Glasgow City are currently top of the SWPL, but finished second last season. Their last league title was in 2023, when Ross became the first female head coach to win the championship with her team.

They have already beaten Athlone Town in the first qualifying round of the Europa Cup, having missed out in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

And they face HB Koge in the second qualifying round, away this week, and back at home next week.

“The tie can’t be won or lost in this first game. It’s about making sure we go away from home and put on a good solid defensive performance so we’ve got something to play for when we come back here next week.”

Ross added that she is expecting a “really tough game”.

“I’ve watched five or six of their league games. They are sitting top of the league. They are very attacking-minded, very good in transitions, and they have got a lot of key players who we’ve identified, so they are a threat from all over the pitch.

“We’re going to need to be really defensively solid, and then make the most of the opportunities that we can create.”

Ross: Everybody wants to play

It will be a quick turnaround. Glasgow City beat Hamilton in the SWPL Cup on Sunday, and host Partick Thistle at home next weekend, sandwiching the European ties.

“We’re giving every game we’re playing its own preparation time and the same preparation, but when it comes to games in Europe and you’re facing new opponents, it is exciting and there is loads of enthusiasm within the team to go on and put in a really good performance.”

And she is pleased that she has a high-performing squad to choose from.

“It is not an easy decision at the moment in time to choose the starting eleven, and then anybody who doesn’t come off the bench and hasn’t played, they’re disappointed.

“For me, that’s a good thing. It shows that everybody wants to play and they want to contribute. The competition is there and the players need to keep pushing each other.

‘’We always tell them that once you’ve got the jersey, it is an opportunity to then go and shine and make sure that you keep your hands on it.”