“It’s not perfection, it’s progress”: Why Leicester City’s dominant WSL win at Bristol City gives them hope – tactical analysis

Whilst the new Womens Championship and Womens National League seasons are already well underway, fans of the WSL have needed to be a little more patient as their teams enjoy some additional time off following the World Cup and the recent international break. However, it turned out to be well worth the wait, with no games disappointing and there being plenty to talk about up and down the country.

Whilst Liverpool Womens win at the Emirates Stadium was perhaps the standout result, given that it was their first away league victory in three and a half years, the game that produced the most goals was the one that took place at Ashton Gate, with newly promoted Bristol City Women hosting fellow pre-season relegation candidates Leicester City Women on their return to the top flight.

In the end, it was the visitors who took all three points, but it was the manner of their win that got people talking. This tactical analysis will examine why they were able to perform such a dominant performance to leave them sitting at the top of the tree after matchday one.

Lineups

Bristol City Women head coach Lauren Smith seemingly has no intention of altering the structure that took her side to the second-tier title last time. So it was no surprise to see the newcomers set up with wing-backs as they tried to give themselves the ability to attack with numbers and to occupy as much territory as possible whenever they were on the back foot.

However, what Smith did do was to hand starts to some of her new signings, with former London City Lionesses captain Amy Rodgers, ex-Brighton and Hove Albion Women midfielder Megan Connolly (who has recently been named as the new team captain), Wales forward Carrie Jones and Danish striker Amalie Thestrup all handed places in the starting lineup, whilst Satara Murray was also included after her year in the NWSL with Racing Louisville. Brooke Aspin, who starred on Bristols run to the title last season before sealing a move to Chelsea Women and a return on loan, was also named, taking her place in the back three alongside Murray and Naomi Layzell.

Smiths counterpart