EDS manager Paul Harsley is delighted with the spirit his side displayed after salvaging a crucial point against Shakhtar Donetsk.
REPORT: Shakhtar 1-1 City
READ: Which TV channle is Shakhtar v City on?
READ: Preview | Shakhtar v City
The Blues’ UEFA Youth League hopes looked to be hanging by a thread as Andriy Kulakov’s header took the Ukrainian outfit into the lead, but ten-man City fought back to clinch a last-gasp goal through 16-year-old Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Harsley was most pleased at the response and determination from his Under-19s after captain Felix Nmecha was shown red following his second bookable offence.
“A sending off changes the game and the set pieces killed us,” Harsley explained after the game. “I was very pleased with the spirit of the players after going down to 10 men as we were still trying to win.
“I’m pleased we got a point out of it for the players’ personal pride.”
On City’s performance, Harsley stated that he still felt that his side were the best team throughout the match.
“Everyone knows that we came into the game after a couple of bad results in the Uefa Youth League tournament and needed the three points against Shakhtar,” the boss added.
“Up to 60 mins when we were 11v11 we were the best team and dominated but we couldn’t quite unlock the door and find quality in the final third – whether that was missed opportunities, running out of ideas or the ‘keeper saving it – but we could quite break through.”
Watch the video above to see the full interview…
