Olivia Smith had no problem settling into a central forward position during Sunday’s 1-0 win at home to Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Playing in the middle and further forward than usual, she got on the end of a brilliant through ball from Mariona Caldentey, showing pace and strength to take Rebecca Knaak and Ayaka Yamashita out of the equation and score our 17th-minute opener.
Reflecting on an impressive performance and result against the league leaders, Smith said: “It was a great result today. Obviously, City have been on a great run of games and we knew we had to be at our best today and that’s exactly what we did.
“(Playing centrally is) different but I’m happy to play wherever Renée needs me. I know we had that conversation that she might need me in that role and I was happy to play it.
“(Mariona) knows just how to play those balls to me and I’m always looking for that run as well.”
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So what does it feel like to go around the goalkeeper and hear the anticipation building towards a crescendo as the ball crosses the line?
“Yeah, there’s so much tension building up as soon as you take that touch but as you see it rolling in the goal, it’s just a great feeling, super exciting,” Smith explained. “The atmosphere was great.”
Next up, attention turns to the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals play-offs, in which we take on OH Leuven away from home in Wednesday’s first leg.
“We want to win in the Champions League,” Smith added. “And coming off this game, we have a lot of momentum and confidence, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
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