# Manchester City Secure First European Victory Against Inter Milan Aoba Fujino scores twice as City overcome an early deficit in Monza. - **Source:** [Sky Sports – Football](https://www.skysports.com/football) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0c031cf1-265a-4075-bc79-6e04c793d65a ## Crucial European Breakthrough Manchester City secured their first win of the current Women's Champions League campaign by defeating Inter Milan 4-1 in Monza. This result was vital for the team, as they had previously recorded three consecutive draws in the league phase, leaving their hopes of reaching the knockout stages in a precarious position. ## Early Defensive Setback Manager Andree Jeglertz opted to rotate his squad, leaving key players like Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp on the bench ahead of a domestic clash with Chelsea. The decision faced immediate scrutiny when Inter defender Elisa Bartoli headed the hosts into a shock lead before the half-hour mark, stunning the visitors. ## Fujino Leads Comeback The response from Manchester City was swift and decisive. Japanese forward Aoba Fujino leveled the score following a precise pass from Laura Blindkilde Brown. Fujino then struck again before half-time to complete the turnaround, effectively shifting the momentum of the match entirely in favor of the visiting English side throughout the second half. ## Securing the Result After establishing the lead, City maintained control with two additional goals. Stand-in captain Kerstin Casparij netted a smart third goal, while Grace Clinton added a fourth following a cross from substitute Lauren Hemp. This dominant second-half display ensured the three points were never in doubt for the remainder of the contest. ## Tournament Standings Impact This victory moves Manchester City up to seventh place in the league phase table. They are now positioned just one point outside the coveted top four spots, which are essential for automatic qualification. The win provides a significant boost to their European ambitions as they look toward the upcoming knockout stage rounds. ## Defensive Vulnerabilities Exposed Despite the emphatic scoreline, Manchester City were not entirely convincing in their defensive structure. Sloppy play offered Inter several opportunities to threaten the goal, but the hosts' poor finishing prevented them from capitalizing. These defensive lapses remain a point of concern that the coaching staff will likely address before future European fixtures. ## Momentum Toward Chelsea The performance sends a strong message ahead of the upcoming Women's Super League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. With City showing depth beyond their headline names, they carry significant momentum into the weekend. Avoiding defeat in that match would allow them to retain their top spot in the domestic league standings. ## Strategic Squad Management Andree Jeglertz demonstrated confidence in his wider squad by resting key starters during this high-stakes European match. The ability to secure a convincing win without top scorers highlights the team's overall depth. This tactical flexibility will be crucial as the club navigates a congested schedule across both domestic and continental competitions. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.skysports.com/football/inter-milan-women-vs-manchester-city-women/report/578260 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._