Maestre praises squad chemistry after London City beats Manchester United

Eder Maestre, the head coach of the London City Lionesses, expressed his satisfaction with the growing chemistry within his revamped squad after they secured a commendable 2-1 victory over Manchester United. This match marked an important start to the season, showcasing the identity that Maestre aims to cultivate within the team.

The expectations surrounding London City have surged following an ambitious summer transfer window, which saw the arrival of several high-profile players, including two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas. Despite the spotlight on Putellas as she made her competitive debut, Maestre emphasized the importance of the team's collective performance in achieving this victory.

During the first half, London City displayed dominance, creating numerous scoring opportunities while keeping United from registering a single shot on goal before the break. "I think we were really strong, mostly in the first half," Maestre remarked. "We had many chances to have a bigger gap. You are facing Manchester United, so you can’t imagine that you are going to be so dominant all the game because they have a lot of good players. I think the team showed how capable it is to play with dominance, an identity that we are trying to create. So I’m very proud of the team."

Manchester United improved after halftime and managed to pull a goal back through Simi Awujo in stoppage time, but London City had already done enough to secure the three points. For Maestre, this performance was a promising first step for a squad that has undergone significant changes over the summer.

"It’s one of the most challenging situations for any coach, when you have talented players but maybe this clash of cultures and you’re trying to align everybody on the same page," he explained. "We are trying to create something big where everybody can feel represented. That’s why I am very happy with the performance that we reached today. Having all the players on the same page and trying to start creating that chemistry makes a difference when we work and try to hit the targets that we have established."

Putellas, who was at the center of attention before the match, was recently appointed as the captain of London City and made her first competitive appearance in front of a record home crowd, which included supporters who traveled from Spain. While Maestre acknowledged the influence Putellas can have on the team, he was keen to shift the focus back to the collective effort.

"Alexia Putellas, everybody knows all the things that she can create and bring to others," he stated. "Having this kind of player in the squad is very important because she represents the high standards. Having her involved in the project is not only because of her performance, but the leadership that she can bring. But it’s not only about speaking about Alexia. Alexia is only a player. I think the most impactful thing is the way we play as a team, being everybody connected. The chemistry that we are building around the players, I think, is the most important thing today."

The influence of leadership on team dynamics

Delphine Cascarino, who played a crucial role in the victory, echoed Maestre's sentiments regarding Putellas' impact. "We chose her as the captain. We can see that she’s a really good player, one of the best players in the world. She can help us with her experience and her mentality of a winner. We have a lot of young players and she can give some advice to them. It’s really nice to have her and many other players in the team."

Cascarino also shared that Putellas motivated her teammates to channel their hard work from pre-season into their performance. "We worked a lot during pre-season, and now we have to make the routine proud. We have to win every game, especially at home. It was really important to bring the three points tonight. She tried to motivate us and she gave us really good energy to start the game."

The ambition surrounding London City this season is palpable. Owner Michele Kang was present for the opening fixture, celebrating with players after the final whistle, having overseen a significant investment in the squad. Cascarino believes Kang's involvement is crucial as the team strives to establish itself among the Women's Super League's elite.

"It’s really important to have her around the team for every game," Cascarino noted. "She’s a businesswoman and she has a really good vision. She tries to invest in our team, in our club, to build something big. We believe in her and we are really proud to have a boss like her. She’s a really big example as a woman."

The players share this ambition. When asked if the squad is capable of achieving something special this season, Cascarino confidently stated, "It feels really fun to win today. I think we have a chance to do something this season. We try to build something huge with a big team, and I think we have the opportunity."

However, Maestre urged caution after just one match. While the opening performance offered an exciting glimpse of the potential within the newly assembled squad, he acknowledged that there is still much work to be done. "We need to be humble," he said.

Despite the challenges ahead, it is hard to overlook the significance of London City’s performance. While Putellas' arrival has drawn considerable attention, the team's opening victory highlighted the depth of talent surrounding her. For Maestre, the collective strength and the chemistry developing among his players could prove to be far more crucial than any individual star. On the evidence of their opening match, London City’s ambitious project is beginning to take shape.