Following a 1-1 draw away in Spain, the visitors arrived in Manchester with their sights set firmly on the Round of 16.
An early goal from Silvia Meseguer and a late first half strike from Ludmila da Silva prevented City from making a comeback and the final 3-1 aggregate score saw Nick Cushing’s side exit the European competition in the Round of 32 for the first time.
What happened
From the first whistle, the visitors were the dominant force tearing around the pitch, and they were rewarded for their efforts after just four minutes. Ludmila da Silva was the architect of the opener as she wriggled free from our defence and found Silvia Meseguer who slotted her effort in at the far post.
As the game progressed, Atletico looked in firm control. Skipper Amanda Sampedro tried her luck as she drilled towards goal but luckily for the Blues, it slipped wide.
As momentum built, Nick Cushing’s side increased in confidence and a trademark long-range strike from Georgia Stanway - similar to her recent rocket against Everton – looked close to sealing the equaliser, but agonisingly for Stanway, Dolores Gallardo launched into the air to tip the shot over the crossbar.
Moments later, we tested Gallardo again, but this time through Lauren Hemp. The game marked the teenager’s Champions League debut and she rose to the challenge in style, whipping down the wing and causing problems for the Atletico defence. Hemp drew back and fired a thunderous volley at goal, however, it wasn’t to be for the youngster as she saw her attempt skim over the goal.
As tensions grew, Nikita Parris burst forward to intercept Gallardo’s clearance and was successful. It look destined to be the goal City had been searching for, but once again, it fell just inches wide of the post.
While City moved up a gear, Atletico were already one step ahead.
As the first half moved into added time, the visitors pounced once again. Da Silva was given a dangerous amount of space and took full advantage as she took the ball all the way to the mouth of the goal before unleashing a bullet-like strike past Karen Bardsley.
In the second period, Cushing introduced fresh legs to the pitch in the shape of Nadia Nadim, Caroline Weir and Tessa Wullaert with the hope of adding the three (needed) goals.
While the substitutions were unable to affect the scoreline, Stanway was at it again with a powerful shot which prompted the Atletico stopper to punch it away and keep us at bay.
Parris came closest to clawing a goal back as she drove home with just 10 minutes left, but frustratingly for the winger it cannoned off the woodwork. Minutes later and City had a goal disallowed as Jen Beattie’s header was ruled offside due to Parris running across the ‘keeper. It wasn’t to be.
How we lined up
Bardsley took her place in goal shielded by a back four of Gemma Bonner, skipper Steph Houghton, Beattie and Abbie McManus.
Keira Walsh was employed in her defensive midfield role alongside Jill Scott and Stanway, while Hemp and Mel Lawley flanked Parris up front.
Up next
City travel to Birmingham in the FA Women’s Super League on Sunday 30 September, kick-off at 12.30pm.
