Manchester City will hope to take a step towards the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League when they face Italian club Fiorentina in the first leg of their round of 16 tie at The Academy Stadium on Wednesday.
Gareth Taylor’s side saw off Swedish champions Goteborg FC 5-1 on aggregate in the last round and they will now face the lowest ranked side from their segment of the round of 16 draw in the form of Fiorentina.
Manchester City boss Taylor could welcome Canadian international Janine Beckie back into the squad for the European tie after she missed the 4-0 victory over Birmingham City on Sunday. Defenders Demi Stokes, Megan Campbell and Gemma Bonner all remain sidelined while midfielder Keira Walsh is also expected to again miss out.
Fiorentina find themselves in the round of 16 of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League after narrowly defeating Czech side Slavia Prague 3-2 on aggregate in the last round. Antonio Cicotta’s side returned to domestic action following the international break with a 2-0 defeat at Florentia at the weekend. Viola currently find themselves in fifth place in Serie A and unlikely to be playing in Europe again next season.
Dutch midfielder Tessel Middag could face her former side at The Academy Stadium while the Fiorentina squad also includes former Arsenal pair Janni Arnth and Louise Quinn.
Manchester City’s UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 16 first leg tie against Fiorentina is scheduled to kick-off at 4.45pm on Wednesday afternoon and will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2.
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