There are few scenarios since Millwall Lionesses broke away from Millwall and became London City Lionesses that would have felt more surreal than the idea of Alexia Putellas captaining the side to a statement win in a WSL season-opener in Bromley just seven years later. Here we are though: referees have to get used to the formerly talismanic Barcelona captain stooping to pick up the coin after the toss, as is her custom; players must get used to eyes and cameras looking past them to focus in on the influential No 11; and the two-time Ballon d’Or winner has to get used to playing with teammates not drilled in a very specific style of play from such an early age that it becomes an inherent part of them. Of course it is a step down to go from the three-time European champions to a team embarking on their second season in the WSL, but off the pitch, with the owner, Michele Kang, committed to giving female athletes the best of everything, the difference will be more negligible, even before the approved new world-class training facility is built.
Regardless of what you think of her movements in women’s football, or about private finance investment in it, Kang, who walked the perimeter of the stadium prior to kick-off taking photos with fans in her ‘Kang 27’ emblazoned home shirt, is the antithesis of the owner of last night’s opposition, Jim Ratcliffe, and his dismal references to his women’s teams. Putellas led the team out to a raucous welcome at the sold-out home of Bromley FC, her steely stare only broken to crack a quick smile and share some words with the mascot gripping her hand. In this corner of London’s outskirts, the midfielder experienced her first proper taste of her new reality.
At 32 and with her very best years likely behind her, it was a solid rather than showstopper performance. She was outshone by teammates such as Rosa Kafaji and Lucía Corrales, who unfortunately went off on a stretcher late on after overstretching for the ball. But it is not only about Alexia, she is only one player, and I think the most impactful thing was the way everybody connected, the chemistry that we are building around the players.” Maestre has been tasked with gelling a squad stacked with new players, including the former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who was on the bench with Elene Lete starting.
Maestre explained: “Mary had some issues in pre-season so that was why there was inconsistency in game involvement. We have two strong goalkeepers. Today, Elene deserved to be in the lineup.
She was very strong in her actions.” Maestre has said the identity he wants to create for the side is “related to all those things we felt when we were playing football as children”. That ethos was evident in their play, with London City on the front foot from the off. Despite not always being pretty, they looked like they were having fun as they pressed and attacked aggressively, and when they broke the deadlock nine minutes in it was not surprising.
Alanna Kennedy provided the pressure, rising above a hunkered-down Julia Zigiotti Olme who could only turn the ball into her own net. It was a cruel introduction to life in the WSL, and its spotlight, for the new Manchester United manager, Eva Olid, particularly with Chelsea and Arsenal up next, but on this showing and after a lacklustre summer transfer window, few games would have offered a kind introduction. United were outclassed in Bromley, conceding 60% possession.
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