Marc Skinner Confident Manchester United Can Overcome Bayern Munich Deficit
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has expressed strong confidence that his team can still advance to the Women's Champions League semi-finals, despite suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
First Leg Details and Skinner's Reaction
The match saw Bayern Munich edge out United with a late winner from Momoko Tanikawa in the 84th minute. This came after United had fought back from two goals by Pernille Harder, responding with a penalty from Maya Le Tissier and a header from Hanna Lundkvist. Skinner voiced frustration over the goals conceded, stating, "I'm frustrated with all the three goals – I don't think they had to particularly earn them. I felt that we left the spaces for Pernille Harder to run through twice."
However, he emphasized the team's resilience and honesty in addressing their mistakes. "But what I know about this team is that they'll be open and honest with that and obviously we've got another leg to try and turn it around and fix it," Skinner added. He attributed the loss not to naivety but to facing a high-level opponent, noting that Bayern Munich adapted their usual possession-based style to a more direct approach for this game.
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
Skinner remains optimistic about United's chances in the second leg at the Allianz Arena. "We've felt that now and we must turn it around. We're still in this tie for sure. Now we need to go to the Allianz and win," he declared. The challenge is compounded by a tight schedule, as United face rivals Manchester City, the current Women's Super League leaders, on Saturday before the crucial Champions League return leg next week.
Reflecting on the upcoming fixtures, Skinner acknowledged the difficulty but highlighted the motivation. "It will challenge us, it will take us to the depths, but the carrot is there for us in both games. We expect it to be difficult," he said.
Bayern Munich's Perspective
On the other side, Bayern Munich manager Jose Barcala urged caution despite the victory. He emphasized the need for humility and focus, stating, "We need to stay with our feet on the earth, humble and keep looking forward for the next game. It's important we learn things from this game and adjust for the second leg." This suggests Bayern are not taking their lead for granted and are preparing for a tough battle in the upcoming match.
As the teams prepare for the decisive second leg, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter that will determine who advances to the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League.
