England’s all-time record World Cup goalscorer netted her fifth goal in as many games, doubling her side’s lead inside four minutes, as Gareth Taylor‘s side stormed to a 3-0 Champions League Round of 16 first leg win over Fiorentina.
Netting three goals against the Italian outfit, courtesy of White, Lauren Hemp and Sam Mewis, City lifted our goalscoring tally to 32 in 2021 – across just eight games in all competitions.
Thriving from the creativity around her, White says it’s a dream for any striker to play in such a clinical, attack-minded side, especially with wing wonders Hemp and Chloe Kelly.
“I’m pretty privileged to be in the middle of so many talented players,” she smiled.
“Both Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp are coming into form and I feel like we’re building a great relationship.
“It’s a dream to get those balls across. I’m delighted to be part of that frontline.
“I’m surrounded by very talented individuals and a talented team.
“We have a phenomenal squad and some great players who we can bring on to make a real difference. Rose Lavelle, Sam Mewis and Esme Morgan came on and made a big difference.
“We’re very lucky and blessed to have very talented players in our squad. We’re scoring goals from everywhere around the pitch, which is great - really positive.
“I’m really happy to be on the scoresheet and to help the team.”
City came flying out of the blocks at the Academy Stadium, scoring two quickfire goals to stun Fiorentina, before Mewis added the third in the final moments.
Reflecting on the triumph, White says she and her teammates were naturally delighted to have gained such a strong advantage to take over to Italy next week - but that they’re not thinking about the next round just yet.
“It’s great,” she said. “If you’d have given us that before the game, we’d have snapped your hand off.
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“We’re delighted. There are definitely things we can improve on – at times, we were a little sloppy and could have been more patient – but overall, we’re happy with the performance.
“We scored three goals and kept a clean sheet. We wanted that third goal and it was important.
“We came out of the blocks pretty fast and we actually could have scored a few more. I probably could have scored one or two more!
“We kept probing and we tried to be patient. They defended well and we needed to be really conscious of the transition, stopping them from moving up the pitch.
“When they’ve got five at the back, it’s about us being patient, moving the ball and keeping diligent in the way we play, keeping to the way we play.
“We’ll be looking at adapting and growing, being better as a team.
“Within our camp, we focus on what we can control: training, working hard and looking at what we can do in games. We don’t look outside pf that.
“The Champions League is an amazing competition and a great one to be involved in but we take each game as it comes. We’re building good relationships and growing as a team.
“Part of the reason I came to City was to play in the Champions League – it’s one of the greatest competitions.
“I’m delighted to have helped the team but it’s not over – we’re halfway there in this round.
“We can look forward to playing them next week. We’re in a really great position but we won’t get too ahead of ourselves.”
