London City Lionesses Defeat Atlético Madrid to Continue Unbeaten Pre-Season Streak
The Copperjax Stadium was buzzing with excitement during London City Lionesses’ friendly against Atletico Madrid, and it wasn’t just Alexia Putellas’ Bromley debut that was causing a stir.
Following on from a summer of almost unbelievable signings, London City have had something crucial to prove in their pre-season fixtures, that these new players will make an impact on the pitch as well as off it. After wins against Sevilla and Benfica, and a draw with Sporting CP, expectations were high going into the match, with Liga F team, and competitors in last season’s Champions League, Atlético Madrid expected to be their toughest competition yet. As their only home match before the 26-27 season, it was the perfect opportunity to prove themselves against the tough Spanish team.
London City were dominant from the opening minute of the game, with an attempted shot on goal two minutes in, and continued this push of attack ceaselessly in the first half. The 1-0 scoreline doesn’t seem to fully reflect the intensity of London City Lionesses’ attack, they seem to have adopted a more aggressive style of play, pressing forward in all available opportunities. New signing and Dutch international Janni Thomsen had a large part to play in this, continually pushing herself and the ball up the pitch and impressing in her first appearance at home. It became increasingly evident that London City’s opening goal was only a matter of time, and after two agonizingly close efforts in the 20th and 31st minutes, it finally came via their number 10, Daniёlle Van De Donk, in the 35th minute, her third goal in three successive games for the club in pre-season.
The momentum seemed to stay in London City’s favour following on from Van De Donk’s goal, the team continued to relentlessly press until half time, but the second half told a slightly different story. Although London City certainly retained their position as the stronger team, Atlético Madrid seemed to come into their own more, getting much closer to the goal, and controlling the direction of play more. Their number 16, Celia Segura, made a fantastic run in the 70th minute, forcing Elene Lete into her first real scramble of the game, managing to collect the ball on the floor from Segura’s feet. After strong attempts from new London City signings Daniela Arques and Rosa Kafaji, Atlético regained the ball and forced Lete into a succession of excellent saves, their run of 3 shots in quick succession did not quite manage to break through London City’s keeper, and the match ended with London City Lionesses firmly retaining their lead after a convincing performance.
Eder Maestre on looking ahead to next season and his expectations
Speaking to London City’s manager Eder Maestre in a post match interview shed an important light on some of the tactics and the style of play used in the game, especially the versatility and fluidity that the team as a whole showed throughout:
“This is the team I want to build, who understand football in terms of opportunities [...] it’s about how they are, how is the opponent’s shape, what are the opponents trends and from that finding the most clinical spaces to overcome, break lines, and bring that collective freedom, not anarchy.”
The freedom that Maestre references was on full display, with each fullback that came on seeming to have the capability of a wingback and the back four being confident to adapt into a back three when necessary, with Poppy Pattinson especially often being spotted further up the pitch when in possession to further the attacking effort along the wings.
Maestre certainly pleased with this display of creative liberty taken by the players:
“I’m very happy I think, the performance of the team was quite good, we are moving forward to respect the thing that we want to become, the identity today was there [..] I am very happy, not only because of the results, I think the performance is getting closer to the thing that we want to be.”
Is this the start of a new era at London City, who have often been accused of having style in their transfers over real substance, are they now looking to disprove this with a change in tactics and a much stronger and more forceful attack?
Speculation around London City’s new captain was fueled by Putellas wearing the armband again today, this time leading the team out as she started the match. Maestre did not reveal who will be the captain for this season in the absence of the injured Kosovare Asllani, but he however did reveal that the decision has been made behind the scenes":
“The decision is already done, the team was involved in the process, the captaincy is set up for the team, the club vision, I think a very powerful captaincy”.
Following on from the rest of their pre-season preparations, London City Lionesses will face French giants and serial Champions League winners Lyonnes in a friendly on Saturday the 29th. Maestre is looking forward to the match as an opportunity to further push the strengths of the team, against one of the strongest oppositions in European football,
“‘I think it will be the toughest game of pre-season, it’s gonna be the final test [..] to make the last improvements to perform in the best way against United”.
Whether or not London City manage to perform against OL Lyonnes, it will be a crucial last match of pre-season ahead of their opening Women’s Super League against Manchester United on the 4th of September. If they manage to capitalise on the strengths they showed against Atlético, London City Lionesses might just have a 26/27 season as exciting as their signings.