Maestre emphasizes resilience as London City face Charlton

Eder Maestre, the head coach of London City Lionesses, is gearing up for a challenging encounter against newly promoted Charlton Athletic in the Barclays Women's Super League. As his team prepares for this crucial match, Maestre has made it clear that there are no easy games in this league, emphasizing that every opponent can capitalize on mistakes.

Charlton may not have had the ideal start to their top-flight journey, but Maestre is wary of their potential threat, particularly their ability to defend compactly and exploit spaces behind the London City defense. "As I have said many times, there is no weak team in this competition. Every team can punish us, especially those that might allow us to have possession but are committed to exploiting our defensive spaces," he stated, reflecting on the lessons learned from their recent match against West Ham, where they were caught out by direct attacks.

Despite the setback against West Ham, Maestre is keen to maintain a level-headed approach within his squad. He believes that experiencing such challenges can serve as a valuable reminder of the fine margins that exist in the WSL. "Sometimes it’s beneficial to face these situations because it heightens awareness of how dangerous every team can be with the players they have," he explained.

One of the key issues for London City has been converting strong performances into tangible results. Maestre noted that while the team has created numerous opportunities, their efficiency in both penalty areas will be crucial for their championship aspirations. "Being clinical in the boxes is going to be one of the key points to have any chance to push for the championship," he remarked, stressing the need to capitalize on the chances they create.

Defensive consistency is another area Maestre is keen to address, particularly after the team was among the best in the league for expected goals conceded last season. "If we can replicate that defensive solidity and continue to build on our strengths, I believe we can be competitive until the end of the season," he said.

Away performances have been a concern, with London City winning only three of their eleven away matches last season. However, Maestre believes that the performances often deserved better outcomes than what the results indicated. "There’s a difference between expected performance and actual results. As a coach, it’s about creating contexts that increase our chances of winning, which involves both scoring and preventing the opponent from having big chances," he explained.

The focus for Maestre is not to abandon their process but to become more ruthless in front of goal. He reiterated the importance of resilience, particularly after London City scored twice in the final moments of matches this season. Reflecting on their previous defeat, he recalled telling his players at halftime, "Don’t panic." He believes that the team has the tools to overcome challenges if they remain patient and confident in their game plan.

Maestre also highlighted the importance of managing mistakes effectively, stating that resilience is about coping with frustration and treating errors with self-compassion. This mindset will be crucial as the team faces a demanding schedule of five matches in just 15 days.

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In terms of squad fitness, Maestre confirmed that goalkeeper Mary Earps is ready to compete for her position after building her fitness. However, there are concerns regarding the fitness of other players, including Alanna Kennedy and Delphine Cascarino. "We need to utilize the players available to us effectively to align with our game plan," he said, expressing optimism about the squad's readiness for the upcoming match.

As London City continues to grow following significant investment, Maestre insists that the focus must remain on the immediate challenge ahead. "We are trying to create something, not to look too far ahead. Our focus is on the next game," he concluded, as the team prepares to face Charlton and aims to translate their dominant performances into points.