Spurs vs Man City (WFA Cup) | Robert’s preview: “We want to make sure we compete”
Fri 08 March 2024, 18:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Robert Vilahamn is ready to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City in our quarter-final clash against Manchester City in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
It will be our third meeting with City since the turn of the year, previously facing them in the Barclays Women’s Super League and the last eight of the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup where Gareth Taylor’s side came out on top on both occasions.
Despite suffering their first defeat since November, falling to a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the semi-final of the Conti Cup earlier this week, City still remain in excellent form – unbeaten in nine in the league - but Robert is looking to put in another strong performance against a top side in the WSL by going into the game with no fear.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, he said: “It's a cup game, so you can be braver because whether it’s 1-0 or 7-0, it doesn’t really matter as you are either out or through.
“They are a few things in this game where we can do different stuff or look to improve on other areas and everyone is also fully fit and training, so we have different options to make sure we have a good game plan from the starting XI or to the ones finishing.
“We will find ways to make sure we really go for it but, once again, I have enormous respect for what they are doing so it will be a tough game.
“They look very good when they play and have a strong defensive game, while also knowing how to attack. City are a strong opponent, however, I feel there are ways to beat them, but you need to be at your very best and make sure to have everything on your side that day.”
When asked about what the FA Cup means to him, Robert reflected on watching those games in Sweden and the potential of going to Wembley.
“The FA Cup games came on Swedish television and you saw these other teams beating the best sides sometimes, and the final at Wembley which, when I was a kid, is one of the biggest stadiums in the world,” he added.
“My childhood dream was to go to those big stadiums and win something and I know that the Club want to have trophies and, right now, this is the closest we are to getting the trophy. It means a lot and I can see from the fans that this is a big competition, and we want to make sure we compete and try to go to Wembley.”
