Four back-to-back games against Chelsea has been “the ultimate test” for his Manchester City side, Nick Cushing admitted after bowing out of the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Thursday.
Having been appointed just days before this unprecedented spell of games began, Cushing oversaw a slender defeat in the Subway Women’s League Cup final on March 15 before claiming a crucial 2-0 win over Sonia Bompastor’s Blues in the first leg of their UWCL quarter-final.
The Cityzens were defeated in the Barclays Women’s Super League a few days later, and three first-half goals at Stamford Bridge on Thursday saw Chelsea complete a stunning comeback to qualify for the UWCL semi-finals for a third successive season.
“It’s the ultimate test when you play the best team, the most consistent, the most informed team,” Cushing reflected in his post-match press conference, suggesting that the results can “show you where you’re at, right?”
“We’ve caused Chelsea real problems in all four games,” the 40-year-old commented, adding that he was “disappointed we didn’t progress, but immensely proud of the group.”
“It’s been hugely positive in terms of the desire and commitment of a team that has had a lot of stress and strain over the last two weeks.”
“To still be in it and be pushing at the end shows me a lot. We’ve shown our togetherness, fight and spirit is there,” Cushing insisted, highlighting that those attributes will still be needed for the remainder of the season as City now have “clarity on what we have to achieve.”
“We know what we’ve got to play for now,” he told reporters.
“We have to play for an FA Cup, first against Manchester United.”
“We’ve got to play for the Champions League place and chase down Manchester United and Arsenal, starting with Brighton on Sunday.”