Manchester City has made a strong start to the current season, winning all their Women's Super League (WSL) matches and remaining unbeaten in European competition. Coach Alexander Jeglertz has not yet repeated the same starting lineup, showcasing the depth of the squad without losing their competitive rhythm.
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Substitutions have proved pivotal, with Beth Mead assisting a goal against Birmingham City and Kerstin Casparij scoring with her first touch against Arsenal. City demonstrated resilience in the Champions League, coming from two goals down to draw with Bayern Munich and leveling 1-1 against Real Madrid. Notably, they have earned six points from losing positions in the WSL, the highest of any team.
Jeglertz expressed confidence in his team's ability to manage multiple competitions, stating after their 4-2 victory over Arsenal that effective substitutions in crucial moments have allowed them to maintain momentum. He emphasized the importance of squad contributions, noting that all players who have come off the bench have positively affected the games.
Historically, City has finished as runners-up to Chelsea in the WSL for two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) but did not advance beyond the last-16 in the Champions League during those seasons. They finished second in the WSL again in 2021 and made it to at least the quarter-finals in both domestic cup competitions and the Champions League. However, this success came at a cost, leading to exits in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League in subsequent years and finishes of third and fourth in the WSL.
England international Lauren Hemp acknowledged that their performances in Europe have not met their usual standards, despite acknowledging the quality of their opponents. Jeglertz recognized the challenges ahead, emphasizing the need to secure victories against top teams to progress.
With only five WSL matches played and additional European fixtures remaining, City faces challenges including injuries to players like Vivianne Miedema and Sydney Lohmann. Sam Coffey also suffered a knock in the recent match against Arsenal. Nevertheless, the team's depth has been a key asset, evident in their ability to score 10 of their 16 league goals in the second half, including three in stoppage time this season.
Crucial players such as Casparij, Khadija Shaw, and Yui Hasegawa have logged fewer minutes this season compared to last. Coffey, a vital midfielder, has participated in every match but has only played the full 90 minutes once, demonstrating Jeglertz's effective rotation strategy.
Casparij recounted her experience coming on as a substitute against Arsenal, highlighting the clear communication from Jeglertz, which allows her to play instinctively. She praised the team's resilience and depth, emphasizing that a collective effort is essential for success in the long season ahead.