Glasgow City V Servette – UEFA Women’s Champions League Second Round Second Leg (08/09/2021)
Bit of a strange kick off time 1510 on a Wednesday, managed to get to the game as my college course allowed me to get to Broadwood. An easy trip to the stadium as my father in law was heading out and gave me a lift through to Cumbernauld and dropped me off in the car park, so happy days. Another bonus was that Glasgow City made the entry to the game free of charge and refunded those that had purchased a ticket before the announcement. Also upon entry to create some atmosphere plastic clappers we’re being handed out to everyone as the came in, didn’t use mine but I gave mine to the little girl who lives next door.
As the whole stand was opened for the game I managed to get a seat pretty much bang on the half way line so I was happy with that. A good view and could see the afternoon sun bouncing off the river behind the stand opposite me.
The City side had a few changes with some of the usual starters on the bench, so I think a different approach was being taken for the second leg. The first 10 minutes was pretty end to end with both sides looking to get forward but neither breaking through. There was a break in play as Servette player went down with a head injury they needed the physio on for treatment. Servette clearly didn’t want Glasgow City to get into any sort of groove as they kept catching them with needless fouls stopping play. But that plan didn’t seem to work for long as Farrelly smartly flicked the ball over the defence and Chinchilla ran on to the ball and calmly lit the ball past the keeper for 1-0 after around 15 minutes gone. Not long after the goal play was halted after a visiting player took a knock to the head which required attention and a second player to be bandaged up within the opening 20 minutes.
A lapse of concentration in defence saw the away side have an opportunity but after going one on one the shot was sent wide, City weren’t deterred and countered but Fulutudilu couldn’t beat the keeper after some great work from the striker. The away side were putting in some shocking challenges and I’m surprised how number 24, Soulard, had not been booked as the referee had a word with her on more then one occasion.
With just five minutes before half time, there was an absolute calamity at the back as Alexander picked up a back pass and an indirect free kick was given to Servette inside the box and Jade rifled the ball in to the roof of the net from inside the six yard box with the free kick, to make it 1-1 and 2-2 on aggregate.
To be fair the first half was dominated by Glasgow City and the fact they went in level was a bit harsh on them but it shows that good teams will take advantage of mistakes made at the back and that happened. No half time pie for me today as I had a gyros delivered just before I left the house, just two cups of Sprite and a packet of ready salted crisps which came to £4.50 which I was happy with as at most grounds you’d be lucky to get a drink for that price. One plus of it being half time was the annoying boy sat a few rows behind stopped talking and comparing the game to a game on FIFA and mocking the players and fans, I was considering moving seats but didn’t want to give up my good view.
A new half of football but yet another mistake at the back as Van Wyk slipped on the edge of the box and Servette made City pay as Maendly headed in from close range to give the Swiss side the lead with just three minutes of the half played.
Clare Shine went close to bringing City level with an overhead kick with quarter of an hour to go and then up the other end Servette got through after the City defence stopped looking for offside but Nakkach shot wide when it was easier to score than miss.
It was a game where defensive errors ended up costing City the game and their place in the Champions League this season, I couldn’t even say that Servette were the better side as I really don’t think they were but they are the side going through. As I waited a while after the game for my taxi joke came the Glasgow City players left to board the team bus and all looked really gutted as they left the stadium.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – £0
Programme Price – N/A
Programme Rating – N/A
Refreshments – 8/10
Stadium Facilities – 8/10
Getting To Stadium – 8/10
Stadium Rating – 7/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Glasgow City against Servette.
Daz Carding
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