Jess Park’s early goal was enough to give Manchester United their first win in three games, but it wasn’t enough to save them a place in the Women’s Champions League knockout stages despite a 1-0 win over Juventus in Turin.
Park’s superb shot from the edge of the box was United’s first shot of the game after 14 minutes, calming Mark Skinner’s nervous side and solid defending as they secured their first clean sheet in nine games and secured victory.
Skinner’s side had to fight back from 3-0 down to pick up a point against Tottenham on Sunday after scoring three more goals in last week’s Champions League game against Lyon, leaving automatic qualification out of reach heading into the final round.
The trip to Juventus looked like a strong opponent for such a comeback, as the Italians had only lost once in the group phase coming into this game, but they could have taken an early lead had it not been for a fine stop from Fallon Tallis-Joyce from Amalie Vansgaard, who took Maya Le Tissier.
But they started to step up a gear when Park put the visitors ahead with a beautiful curl. Melvin Mallard’s powerful shot was deflected off the post by Pauline Peiraud-Magnan, while Park seemed determined to add to the scoreline herself with a series of near misses and blocked shots.
Man United’s main worry was the shape of the scoreline, with Skinner opting to wait until the final 15 minutes to make substitutions given their thin squad, but the team were more compact and organized than they had been for some time and their lead was rarely in real danger.
There should have been a chance to relieve the pressure in the closing stages when Elisabeth Terlando was caught by Cecilia Salvay in what was clearly her own box, but neither the referee nor VAR took issue with it.
In the end, it didn’t matter, as Man Utd cruised to victory and secured their seeding in Thursday’s play-off draw, where they will face either Atletico Madrid or Leuven for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Skinner: ‘Manchester United are creating their own history in the Women’s Champions League’
Manchester United manager Mark Skinner said his side were making history by earning a favorable draw in the Champions League play-offs.
United will find out who they will face in the two-legged play-off when the draw is held at 12pm on Thursday.
“When I think about the teams we’ve played against and the teams we’ve finished in the top six, I’m really, really happy,” Skinner told Disney Plus.
“The Champions League has an incredible history in this sport and we didn’t have it. So we’re creating it and to achieve that and finish sixth… it hasn’t hit home yet.”
“But I know that as I sit on the flight home, I will be incredibly proud of everyone involved in everything we are trying to accomplish.”
England forward Park said United took a “really big step” in their final group game when they clinched victory with a stunning curling shot from just outside the penalty area in the 18th minute.
She told Disney Plus: “It was a great moment. I really enjoyed it. It was a great finish and I was proud of it.”
“All the girls fought and I’m proud of the whole team. We made history as a team. We did it together. It was a really big step forward.”
All WSL quarter-finals approaching IF Arsenal and Man United face Chelsea in quarter-finals
The Women’s Champions League league match has ended!
Chelsea will secure a top-four finish and go straight to the quarter-finals.
Arsenal and Man United finished fifth and sixth respectively. They will play in the play-off rounds in February, facing Atletico Madrid on one side and OH Leuven on the other.
They will find out their respective opponents in Thursday’s (12 p.m.) draw.
One thing we do know is that if both Arsenal and Man United reach the last eight, one of them will face a huge all-WSL showdown with Chelsea. What an opportunity!
What will be the schedule for the remaining tournaments?
February 11-12: Playoffs first leg February 18-19: Playoffs second leg March 24-25: Quarter-final first leg April 1-2: Quarter-final second leg April 25-26: Semi-final first leg May 2-3: Semi-final first leg May 24: Final
