The Blues earned a share of the spoils in Florence thanks to Lauren Hemp’s late strike in our first outing since signing off as 2025/26 WSL and FA Cup champions.
Despite Alex Greenwood hitting the bar and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw going close, it looked like the hosts were set to claim victory thanks to Maya Cherubini’s effort on the stroke of half-time.
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But Hemp’s impressive strike was enough to earn a draw in what Jeglertz described as a very positive performance.
Our Head Coach said: “It was a great game for us. There were a lot of things I’m really pleased with, especially parts in the second half, our young players coming in, Sam [Coffey] coming back from an injury.
“And the way we’re having this mentality where we refuse to lose, it’s amazing in this group.
“There are parts in our game where we need to be better in transition moments, and they created a few too many chances for us to be happy with, but this is exactly what we wanted from this first game.
“They were a tough opponent but at the same time, [this game was] very valuable to us.”
Jeglertz also used the friendly as an opportunity for young faces from our Next Gen squad to showcase what they’re all about.
Millie Burdon, Sienna Davies and Freya Hirons all came on as second half substitutes, while Sacha Lewis, fresh from signing her first professional contract, also enjoying a lively cameo out wide.
Mayzee Davies, returning from her anterior cruciate ligament injury for the first time, also picked up a valuable 45 minutes at centre-half.
Focusing on our Next Gen squad, Jeglertz was delighted by what he’d seen.
He added: “I’m very impressed, especially but these Next Gen players coming in.
“They’re training with us now and then, but they come in, they’re brave, not scared to have the ball, winning duels.
“I’m really happy with that. There’s a promising future at Manchester City with these players, so I’m happy for them.”
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