‘Attack the opportunity’ – Manchester City going out for the win says Cushing
Manchester City’s interim head coach Nick Cushing says that his side will be going out for the win when they play host to Chelsea at The Joie Stadium.
The two sides will battle out what promises to be a closely-contested first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie in the North West this evening.
Chelsea were somewhat fortunate as they defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the Subway Women’s League Cup final on Saturday. Reflecting on that game, Manchester City’s interim boss Cushing said that his side can take huge confidence and that The Cityzens will go into tonight’s tie with the aim of claiming an advantage.
“We played really well,” Cushing said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “I asked for a certain type of football without the ball and I did see it. We created many moments.
“I said to the group after the game that’s confirmation that you can compete with the best team in the league and it should be enough to give you the determination to turn the result around. The performance is there, the game was completely even and one team is clear in the league.
“For me, it’s about going to play with no fear. I will always say to my teams that they’ve got to attack the opportunity that’s there, don’t fear the outcome or consequence, just go and play and attack the opportunity. It’s a Champions League quarter-final and it’s our home leg, so we’ve got to play to win.”
Chelsea needed a Yui Hasegawa own goal to eventually find a way of beating Manchester City at the weekend. Cushing takes confidence from the fact that the South West Londoners had to find an unconventional way to win.
He said “They’re a top team. Their form alone shows that they can find ways to win. I heard their manager’s press conference after the game [on Saturday] and she said that the proudest part of the game for her was that they found a way to win. I take confidence from that because it tells me that we put them under pressure and ran them close. I expect Manchester City to run Chelsea close, so that was my expectation before the game. Where they are strong is finding a way to win as she says.”
Despite some inconsistency in league performances, Manchester City have recorded some landmark results this season and Cushing says that his side now need to believe that they can win trophies.
He said “There have been some incredible results this year. We know it’s a good team, we beat Barcelona here and the team defeated Arsenal in the semi-final to get to the League Cup final that we’ve just played. What I want is a team that just embraces whoever they play.
“They played so well in the first half [against Chelsea] and we should have been 1-1 at least. When we did go 1-1, we had the biggest chance after that.
“When I talk about belief it’s ‘go on and win the game’. There’s a team in there that knows that they’re good, it’s a really together team but for me, it’s about having the real belief that we can win trophies. When you see that and feel that, the team will consistently win.
“The team are in a good place. I actually think Saturday’s result is fuel for this team because being with the group in training, you can see the ambition that they have.”
Manchester City’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final, first leg tie against Chelsea kicks-off at 8pm this evening. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.
Topics
-
Cushing on New York's influence in his coaching development
Nick Cushing says his time coaching at New York City FC has developed him massively ahead of his return to the Joie Stadium.The 40-year-old returned to City as Interim Head Coach until the end of ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Facing Chelsea 'not an easy task' says Cushing
Interim Manchester City manager Nick Cushing admits he is jumping in at the deep end as he prepares to face Chelsea four times in a row.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Manchester City Women sack head coach Gareth Taylor as Cushing returns
City are fourth in WSL but in Champions League last eight Former manager Nick Cushing named interim manager Manchester City Women have sacked their head coach, Gareth Taylor, just five days ...The Guardian - Mar. 10 -
‘Our mindset stays the same’ – Chelsea go to Manchester City with clear aims says Bompastor
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor says that her side’s mindset remains the same going into the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Manchester City.The Blues tr...Yahoo Sports - 1h -
How can Manchester City stop Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League? | Tom Garry
Nick Cushing’s side must shut down Mayra Ramírez, have the right mentality and take their chances. Chelsea are unbeaten in 28 games under Sonia Bompastor – with 26 wins – and arrive in Manchester ...The Guardian - 10h -
‘I have belief’: Cushing feels Manchester City can beat Chelsea in Europe
Interim manager positive despite League Cup final defeat Teams meet in Women’s Champions League this week Nick Cushing has said Manchester City’s performance in their League Cup final defeat ...The Guardian - 3d -
City in double-injury blow ahead of Chelsea QF
Manchester City boss Nick Cushing has confirmed that his side will be without Khadija Shaw and Aoba Fujino for their Champions League quarterfinal first-leg against Chelsea.ESPN - 23h -
Cushing: We've shown we can compete
Nick Cushing says he's seen enough in City's League Cup final defeat to know we can present a real challenge to Chelsea in our upcoming fixtures.City had deservedly levelled just after the hour ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
'Chelsea win round one but Man City retain belief'
One match down, three to go - and it was Chelsea who came out on top against Manchester City to win the League Cup in the first meeting of a quickfire four-game run.BBC News - 4d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff announced as subjects for 'Quarterback' season 2 on Netflix
The show will drop on Netflix this July, two years after the first season.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff announced as subjects for 'Quarterback' season 2 on Netflix
The show will drop on Netflix this July, two years after the first season.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
OL David Andrews shares more details on shocking release by Patriots
Longtime captain David Andrews shared more details on his shocking release by the New England Patriots.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
OL David Andrews shares more details on shocking release by Patriots
Longtime captain David Andrews shared more details on his shocking release by the New England Patriots.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
LPGA announces another change to its Pace of Play Policy, making it even tougher
The tour now has a season-long tracking element that includes a fine.Yahoo Sports - 19m
More in Sports
-
Poch: 'Big mistake' for USMNT to focus on politics
U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino dismissed the political overtones surrounding the Concacaf Nations League finals, calling it a "big mistake" for his team to discuss politics.ESPN - 10m -
Source: Amorim to make call on Sancho future
Manchester United will let Ruben Amorim decide Jadon Sancho's future in the unlikely event that the England forward returns to Old Trafford, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 10m -
Rangers tell fans: Join 'progressive' club or leave
Rangers have urged fans to help the club remain a "modern, progessive" and inclusive, adding that any supporter who doesn't want that should "disassociate" themselves immediately.ESPN - 10m -
Núñez on goal drought: Bad luck, but won't give up
Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez has admitted that he is underperforming this season, saying his goal drought feels like the "ball doesn't want to go in."ESPN - 10m -
Tuchel on Henderson selection: 'He's the glue'
England boss Thomas Tuchel has defended his selection of midfielder Jordan Henderson in his first squad.ESPN - 10m