Despite dominating the game against our Croatian rivals and twice taking the lead through Tommy Doyle and Adrián Bernabe, the City youngsters ultimately had to settle for a point with Zagreb snatching an 80th minute equaliser against the run of play.
It was a frustrating end to our first group game at the Academy Stadium but as he reflected on the result, McDonald said he and his colleagues would be straining every sinew to put the record straight going forward.
“We’re obviously disappointed not to have got the win,” admitted the central defender.
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“We’ve just got to be better at both ends and learn to finish the game off.
“We’ve had a lot of chances but, at the defensive end, I think they have had four shots and scored two goals which isn’t not good enough.
“I do think we played some good stuff. We’ve had the chances but it’s just about learning to see the game out and being a bit more streetwise upstairs and with our game understanding.
“We’re still in a good position with four games left in the group.
“There are 12 points there to be won and we want to take as many as we can and get through to the next round.”
McDonald is one of a number of players to have made the step up this season from Under-18 level to the EDS and he says he relishing the experience of furthering his development at this level.
“You are playing in the best competitions, testing yourself against the best in Europe and I think it’s good for us all,” he added.
“We’re enjoying playing in all the different competitions such as the UEFA Youth League, the Premier League 2 and the Leasing.Com Trophy.
“There’s a good mix in the squad with a few local lads and quite a few of the Spanish boys and I’m really enjoying it.”
