Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says overcoming Chelsea is arguably the “toughest challenge in European football” at the moment.
The Red Devils are set to take on the Blues this afternoon at Kingsmeadow in what promises to be a thrilling Barclays Women’s Super League encounter. Both teams go into the match with an unbeaten record in all competitions this season.
Currently six points behind Chelsea in the table, Skinner stressed that this clash, although important, cannot be called a “must-win game” due to Chelsea’s impressive record, having won 11 in a row this season. .
“Calling it a ‘must-win’ game against a team that has won every game and put up such outstanding performances seems a bit excessive,” Skinner said at the pre-match press conference. “While this is certainly a game we are looking forward to winning, it is important to recognize the challenge that lies ahead. This is arguably the most difficult task in Europe at the moment. »
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Skinner is well aware of the formidable opponent they have before them. “We understand what awaits us. We will approach the match positively with our best strategies in place, and there is palpable confidence within my team. Both teams are undefeated, and even if this record could change, we will give everything to maintain ours. »
When they last met at Old Trafford, Chelsea had triumphed with a crushing 6-0 victory on the final day of the previous season, with striker Mayra Ramírez scoring a brace and leaving a lasting mark. Skinner learned some valuable lessons from the loss, as his team aims to strengthen their defense this time around.
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“There is a lot to learn from this match, pride being the main lesson; defending against a formidable opponent is paramount,” Skinner said. “Mayra Ramírez is undoubtedly a remarkable player, and while we aim to neutralize her influence, it is essential to recognize that she is surrounded by exceptional talent, just like ours. »
Reflecting on the past, Skinner noted, “This defeat served as a wake-up call for us. We had everything to gain from the title, but perhaps our competitive spirit waned after our FA Cup triumph. Our lesson is this: if you let an opponent have even the slightest moment of superiority, you will pay the price. We have to stay focused and physically engaged throughout the match; if we succeed, victory could be within reach. »
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In their recent Women’s League Cup win over Everton, United scored both of their goals from corners, and Skinner once again stressed the importance of being resolute on corner kicks. However, he clarified that this was only one segment of their tactical approach.
“Historically, we’ve excelled at corner kicks,” he admitted. “When opportunities are few and far between, it’s crucial to take advantage of these key moments. We have some real threats on corner kicks, but I would like to see a balanced performance; I don’t want us to just try to win corners. It is essential to our game plan that we defend robustly while launching effective attacks. We must challenge Chelsea, forcing them to stay on the defensive. The moments they showed vulnerability were when teams pushed them to defend. »
“It’s a formidable challenge,” Skinner admitted, “but my team is prepared to give everything to find ways to break through Chelsea’s defenses and achieve what others have been unable to achieve until now. here. »
The highly anticipated Barclays Women’s Super League encounter between Manchester United and Chelsea kicks off at 12pm.
