Manchester United Women head coach Mark Skinner was delighted with his team’s impressive first-leg win in the Champions League.
The Reds beat Atletico Madrid 3-0 in Spain to take complete control of the match back in Manchester next Thursday.
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Dealing with stress
Speaking to the club’s official website after the game, Skinner was asked how he felt his team controlled the pressure on the night, and he replied: “I’m really pleased, to be honest. We were hoping for a good performance because if you want to win a game like this, you have to. I felt we controlled Atletico, they had a real threat and we dealt with it well.”
He mentioned that the pitch was an issue for both sides, but “overall we were brutal in attack and solid at both ends. Fallon (Tulis-Joyce) made an unbelievable save on the free kick – we know Wilda (Borissa) very well – and that moment could have changed the momentum. All in all, it was a super professional performance and we’re really happy with it.”
to victory
Despite heading into next week with a three-goal cushion, the manager believes United must stay close to a draw as usual.
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He claimed, “It’s absolutely huge. But we don’t go there and fight for a draw – we have to fight for another win. If you do that, the opponents understand the level they are up against. If you want to be a team that is always close to the top, you have to set standards. We will turn our attention to London City first, but when Atletico show up again we will respect them and aim for another good performance. That is the only way to play in the Champions League.”
target quality
Skinner was then asked if he was surprised by the space the attackers were given, but chose to focus on the quality of the attack.
Elisabeth Terland scored another European goal and joined France’s Melvine Malard to put United ahead in the first half.
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The head coach said: “I don’t think Atletico just gave us space – I think we created it. We managed the pitch well. When we get back home, on faster surfaces, we can be more dangerous. We need to find the same space again next week and be just as ruthless.”
Away fans are amazed
Skinner was then asked about United’s away fans, who had sold their tickets for the game in Spain.
He claimed, “They are the best. We always do it for them. When we score you can see the reaction of the players and hear their roar – it’s unlike anything else. We want to send them home with a good win. Travel safe and get ready for Sunday – we will need you loud and proud again.”
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Skinner concluded, “We made a promise to ourselves this year that if we could match the energy of our fans and create synergy, we could achieve something extraordinary. And we’re doing that. In the bad times, we need them. In the good times, let them celebrate — they deserve it.”
United next face London City Lions on Sunday afternoon.
Featured image Michael Campanella via Getty Images
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