By Hope Robinson (23/1/25)
Above: Andree Jeglertz with Gracie Prior and Lily Murphy at the Joie Photo: Manchester City FC
Hope Robinson participated in Manchester City’s press conference this week ahead of their WSL clash with London City Lionesses this weekend at the Lionesses’ home ground, as City chase the title and the Lionesses look to build momentum under a new manager.
Fixture Overview
Manchester City will face London City Lionesses on Saturday 25 January in an away Women’s Super League fixture, with kick-off at 11:55am. New to the league, London City invested heavily over the summer, recruiting several high-profile players. In the current transfer window, they added further quality with the signing of French winger Delphine Cascarino from San Diego Wave, a six-time Champions League winner with OL Lyonnes. The Lionesses have also appointed a new head coach in Eder Maestre.
Andrée Jeglertz acknowledged that London City’s recent changes make them a difficult side to assess, stating that “they have a new manager, he’s only had two games”, which makes them “tricky to analyse”. Despite their ambition to finish in the top three, cohesion has yet to fully develop. “They have great players, but the most important thing is the relationship between the players,” Jeglertz said.
While a London City victory appears unlikely, City remain alert to the threat posed by individual quality, particularly on the counterattack. Cascarino’s pace and ability in transition could prove dangerous if space is allowed. Jeglertz stressed the need for defensive discipline, warning that “if we give them room around our half that will be the challenge for us”.
Manchester City arrive firmly focused on the title race, sitting six points clear of reigning champions Chelsea. Jeglertz reiterated that the approach remains simple, noting that “if we win our games the rest of the season, we will win the league and that’s the only thing we can affect”. City are determined to focus solely on their own performances.
As the season reaches a decisive stage, every league fixture has become a must-win for City. Jeglertz underlined the importance of securing maximum points, stating that it is “very important for the league for us to reach our goal so we need three points, that’s the only thing that matters now”.
Form Guide
Despite their recent cup elimination, City continue to carry strong momentum in the league. Jeglertz confirmed that the squad “have moved on since the game against Chelsea”, adding that there were “a lot of things we feel we can build on” from the performance. Confidence within the group remains high, with the City manager insisting he does not need “to lift the mood of the players, they do it themselves. They know they are a good team”.
City currently sit top of the WSL table, while London City are seventh and winless in their last three league matches. The Lionesses do arrive off the back of a 1–0 FA Cup victory over Sunderland, but face a City side that has won every league fixture this season aside from their opening-day defeat to Chelsea. Squad depth has been “crucial” for City, with Jeglertz highlighting that “players on the bench can come on and affect the game”, a strength that could prove decisive as the match progresses.
Previous Meetings
The sides have met once previously, earlier this season on 28 September 2025. On that occasion, Manchester City secured a 4–1 victory, with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw scoring twice from the penalty spot. As it stands, this remains a relatively rare fixture, though it is likely to become more familiar as London City continue to establish themselves in the league.
Team news
Mary Fowler remains unavailable but has returned to training. New signing Sam Coffey could be in contention to make her Manchester City debut, having trained with the squad, with Jeglertz confirming that “she’s been training today, hopefully she can travel tomorrow”.
Tactical Battle
The league leaders are expected to dominate possession, with the midfield battle likely to prove decisive. City’s depth and established partnerships in central areas are a major strength, with Jeglertz stressing that “the most important thing in a team is relationship”, pointing to how Laura Blindkilde-Brown and Yui Hasegawa “have been playing together all season”. City’s high-intensity ‘piston’ double pivot limits opposition attacking opportunities while driving play forward.
As a result, London City may adopt a deeper defensive approach and look to threaten on the counterattack. Bunny Shaw and Yui Hasegawa are likely to be key players for the hosts to attempt to limit, though City remain confident in their adaptability. Jeglertz explained that “we always need to change our defensive structure depending on the opponent”, adding that despite defeat last time out, their “defensive structure was great in the whole game”.
Players to Watch
Potential debuts could add extra intrigue to the fixture, with Sam Coffey in contention for Manchester City and Delphine Cascarino for London City Lionesses. Both players are world class and capable of influencing the match significantly, making the contest an exciting prospect for supporters.
City’s established attackers remain key threats despite failing to score in their previous outing, an unusual occurrence for the side. Jeglertz expressed full confidence in his forward line, stating that “Bunny, Viv, they score so many goals in their career and will continue to,” adding that “those two are great goalscorers… also Hemp and Kerolin. I have no worries.”
Jade Rose is another player to watch, with her development drawing praise from the City manager. “She has grown so much… one of the fastest players in the league,” Jeglertz noted, after impressing in the previous match against Alyssa Thompson, where she matched the American’s pace effectively.
Strengths and Weaknesses
City often build attacks through the Lauren Hemp–Bunny Shaw connection, which maximises the strengths of two elite attackers. Although finishing was lacking against Chelsea, an unusual occurrence, chance creation remained strong, with Jeglertz saying, “we have to continue to create scoring chances.” Rotation is primarily used to manage fatigue and maintain balance, with Jeglertz adding, “coaches often say every player counts, but we show it.”
Manager’s View
Jeglertz is focused on taking the season one game at a time, saying, “we don’t think anything about the week after that or it will be a long season.” Past near-misses in the title race are acknowledged but not allowed to influence the present, with the manager adding, “it’s important to be aware of your history but don’t let it affect you.” Reflecting on a recent interview with Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze, who said she is enjoying the chase, Jeglertz responded, “I’d rather lead than chase.” He also showed respect for London City’s ambition, noting, “I like teams that are coming into the league and really are investing.”
Key Matchday Battles
Midfield control and tempo are likely to be decisive, with City expected to dominate possession and manage space effectively in their defensive half. Squad depth could prove crucial as the match progresses, allowing City to maintain intensity and adapt as needed. London City may struggle to sustain their performance across 90 minutes, with Jeglertz noting that “some LCL players will definitely start but struggle to make 90 minutes.” How City exploit these factors and impose their rhythm could ultimately decide the outcome, making this an intriguing clash for fans.
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