Fujino’s double sparks WCL comeback win for Manchester City against Inter

Manchester City’s European campaign finally came roaring into life as they put four goals past Inter to record their first Women’s Champions League victory of the season. The English side had to come from behind after a slow start but two goals from Aoba Fujino put them ahead before half-time, and second-half efforts from Kerstin Casparij and Grace Clinton gave them a 4-1 victory in Monza.

With more than half an eye on Saturday’s pivotal meeting with their domestic title rivals Chelsea, Andrée Jeglertz rested several of his key players, including their top-scorer Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, the in-form winger Lauren Hemp and the ever-dependable midfield metronome Yui Hasegawa, all of whom were substitutes. Gracie Prior was handed her first Champions League appearance this season, starting at left-sided centre-back.

Inter opened the scoring through Elisa Bartoli’s header, as the hosts took the lead somewhat against the run of play. The visitors equalised nine minutes after going behind, when Fujino timed her run perfectly to latch on to Laura Blindkilde Brown’s classy, defence-splitting through ball.

Fujino slotted in her second with ease from close range, just a minute before the end of the first half, on the rebound after a Mary Fowler effort was only half-cleared. Despite having taken the lead, Jeglertz called upon two members of his cavalry – Hemp and Knaak – at half-time.

Inter almost levelled three minutes after the restart but Ayaka Yamashita did superbly well to get a fingertip to Haley Bugeja’s bending effort, which looked destined for the bottom corner. The WSL champions were looking the stronger, though, aided by fine performances from Blindkilde Brown and Sam Coffey in midfield.