Putellas Excitedly…

LONDON — Alexia Putellas has assured London City Lionesses fans that there’s plenty more to come after they kicked off their WSL season with a 2-1 victory against Manchester United on Friday at the Copperjax Community Stadium.

Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, was among London City’s key summer signings and captained the team on her debut, leading them to a win that was more comfortable than the final score suggested. An own goal from Julia Zigiotti Olme and a flick from Daniëlle van de Donk sealed the win against a lackluster United side, whose first shot on target came in the 97th minute, resulting in a consolation goal from Simi Awujo.

Putellas drew significant attention following her transfer to the WSL over the summer. With London City owner Michelle Kang watching, Putellas was thrilled to start the season on a winning note.

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“We are so happy,” Putellas shared with the BBC. “We had a strong start, so [we’re] really, really happy.

“I’m still getting used to it; it’s just the first game. It’s a physical league. I think the ball often moves faster than I can, so we’ll strive to improve in that area. It’s the season opener, and we must aim to get better. We aim to deliver even more exciting football to our fans. I’m delighted to kick off with three points, and we’ll keep pushing forward.”

London City manager Eder Maestre expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, handing out four debuts while opting to bench Mary Earps, who had some preseason fitness issues, in favor of Elene Lete, who had seen more consistent action leading up to the match.

All eyes were on Putellas, with Maestre commenting, “Alexia understands the impact she can have on others—it’s not just about her own abilities on the pitch, but also the way she can support the team.” He added, “Having a player like her is crucial because she sets high standards, and her involvement in our project is vital, thanks to her performance and leadership, which can help us achieve our goals. The most significant impact today was the cohesion we displayed as a team, with everyone connected effectively. Building this chemistry among the players is our primary focus.”

Addressing the challenges that come with integrating a new roster, Maestre stated, “This situation can be quite challenging: we have talented players, but there can be cultural clashes, and it’s essential to align everyone with the same vision while ensuring each individual feels represented. I’m genuinely pleased—we had all players on the same wavelength.”

A notable Spanish representation was present to support Putellas and Mapi León on their debuts. “Having such support is vital, especially with many Spanish players on the team, as we aim to create an identity that respects all our cultural backgrounds. The more attractive our play, the more fun and engagement we can inspire.”

For Olid, this was her debut match as head of United, stepping into the role previously occupied by Marc Skinner. She expressed disappointment with her team’s performance but acknowledged the improvements seen in the second half. “I always emphasize that this is a process. In just three weeks, I have worked to instill a belief in the team that we can dominate with the ball and attack,” Olid stated. “It felt mental in the first half, as the players didn’t seem to believe in themselves.”

“At halftime, I reminded them that the way we play requires the ball to feel like ourselves, and we certainly noted a change in the second half. If we can play 90 minutes like we did in the second half, we will be competitive.”

United registered their first shot on goal in the 78th minute, scoring during injury time. Olid added, “That’s not sufficient. We need to start scoring in open play, from set pieces, and create more opportunities. My job is to address these issues and instill more confidence in our ball control.”

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