‘Our mentality has to be nil-nil’ – Paris FC a new game for Manchester City says Taylor | OneFootball

Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor says that his side have to approach their UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 2, second leg tie against Paris FC as if the scoreline is still goalless.

The Cityzens were 5-0 winners in the French capital in the first leg last week and they will now look to complete the job back at The Joie Stadium on Thursday night.

When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Taylor said that Manchester City expect to face a Paris FC side with nothing to lose and that they must approach the tie as if it’s still level.

“We are expecting them to really come out and engage and press, probably more aggresively than they did last week,” Taylor said. “They won 6-0 at the weekend away from home, so they’re no mugs, we know that.

“Our mentality has to be 0-0, that’s the scoreline and we have to go out and earn the right. We did that last week really well. They had moments where they really engaged and pressed hard, other moments where they sat off a little more and we managed those moments really well.

“We need to be ready for a team that’s pretty much got nothing to lose and that will come out and chase the game down.”

Taylor did not give anything away when questioned about potential squad rotation, although he did admit that the quick turnaround in games will be a challenge.

He said “We are encountering a busy period at the moment, we have a quick turnaround and play back here at The Joie Stadium again on Sunday against Brighton then we have a relaxed week before we come back here against West Ham. We are going to have to manage playing two games in quick succession in the right way.

“Regardless of what people think about the scoreline [against Paris FC], there’s still a job to do for us tomorrow. All of the players are really excited about the game and obviously, it’s the season-opener for us at The Joie Stadium.”

The Barclays Women’s Super League could have three clubs in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage this season with Arsenal also in with a chance of joining Chelsea in the last-16 this week. Taylor admits that three English clubs remaining in the competition would be a positive, however, his full focus is on his own side.

He said “We are really focusing on what we do tomorrow, making sure that we get the mentality and the focus really right going into this game. What happens elsewhere is out of our control but of course, it’s super-important [to have three English clubs in the group stage], it helps with the co-efficient.

“I’ve looked at the Champions League over the last couple of seasons and I’ve been really frustrated at not being there, feeling that the team were good enough to be there. I’ve also made everyone aware that it’s so difficult to qualify. We’ve put ourselves in a good position but we’re still not done and Paris FC have real pedigree in this competition, knocking big teams out.

“It’d be a top achievement for us if we were to do it and it just sets us up for the season really well. Every team, every coach and every player really wants to be in the Champions League.”

Manchester City’s UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 2, second leg tie against Paris FC kicks-off at 7pm on Thursday night. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.