Gareth Taylor has message for Man City side after Barcelona defeat

Gareth Taylor is hopeful his young Manchester City side can gain long-term benefits from their 3-0 defeat to Barcelona on a tough evening at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic.

Clàudia Pina put the home side in front towards the closing stages of the first half, before Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas extended the lead following the restart - in what was a commanding display from Pere Romeu’s side in the Women’s Champions League fixture.

The result sees Barca overtake City in Group D to take top spot, after matching the WSL outfit’s 15 points and winning by two clear goals - which was required following City’s 2-0 victory at the Joie Stadium back in October.

Reflecting on the defeat, Taylor said: “It was a big game, with big supporters, in a big stadium, but I don’t think it was down to nerves.

“There was a lack of effectiveness in our play without the ball. The front players were trying to push and put pressure on, but before you know it, Barcelona, with their quality players, were playing in between the lines. The last thing we want to do is give them excessive space.

“If we’re getting good pressure on the ball, then the back players have to condense spaces as much as they can. It was usually on the switch of play - the left side was functioning quite well defensively, but the right side was giving them too much space.

“When you do that, before you know it, you’re back defending in your own box. It feels a bit raw at the moment, but when you step back and look at it, you think it’s a really good experience playing on a top stage against a really good team. That’s where we want to be, and we’re working hard to get there.”

Taylor’s side invited pressure onto themselves from the get-go, with Khiara Keating denying a fourth-minute effort from Salma Paralluelo, making amends for giving the ball away in a dangerous area moments before.

It wasn’t long until the City keeper was called into action again, tipping over a close-range header from Ewa Pajor. Barcelona continued to mount pressure onto the visitors’ defence throughout the opening exchanges, with a number of crucial blocks required to deny the three-time European champions an early opener.

After doing a lot of defensive work, the Citizens were able to create an opportunity of their own on the break. A ball into the centre was nicely weighted for Jess Park, but the 23-year-old could only fire her attempt straight at Cata Coll.

This rare opportunity seemed to re-galvanise the home side, with a shot from Esmee Brugts going just over the bar after some quick play in the box. A lack of clinical edge proved frustrating for Barca for long periods during the first half, as they failed to punish further sloppiness from City.

Bonmatí was gifted a clear chance, but couldn’t take full advantage of receiving the ball with Keating off her line, with her effort lifted wide of the target. The visiting keeper also continued to make her own crucial contributions, pushing over a sharp shot from Brugts.

Down the other end, Taylor’s side enjoyed another rare venture into the Barcelona half ahead of the 40-minute mark, resulting in Jill Roord smashing an attempt against the crossbar. This once again seemed to energise the Catalonian outfit, with Pajor forcing Keating into another save immediately after.

Just before half time, the extent of Barca’s pressure proved to be too much for the Citizens, as Pina fired her side in front with an attempt into the bottom corner. The forward came close to doubling her tally immediately from the restart, with her eventual shot stopped by Keating after a weaving run through the defence.

Further saves soon followed from the 20-year-old during the opening exchanges of the second half, while a shot from Keira Walsh was struck just wide of the target. Barcelona’s second of the evening came in the 57th minute.

Patricia Guijarro flicked the ball through for Bonmatí - who provided a neat finish to strengthen the home side’s advantage. Like Pina, the Spain international could’ve easily come away from the game with a brace as well, with a golden opportunity from close-range smashed against the crossbar shortly after.

Off the bench, Putellas extended Barca’s lead further, beating Keating with an attempt from the edge of the box. Towards the end of the game, Pina had another opportunity to claim a second, but lifted the ball over the crossbar after a dangerous pass over the top. Meanwhile, there was also a late save from Coll to stop City from leaving with a consolation.