Manchester City Women's boss Nick Cushing not motivated by revenge ahead of Champions League tie

By Luke Donnelly

Image: Nick Cushing is yet to lead Manchester City to a Champions League title

Manchester City Women boss Nick Cushing has stressed he does not view the Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid as a revenge mission.

City host the first leg against Atletico, who knocked them out of the competition in the round of 32 last season 3-1 on aggregate, on Wednesday.

Asked if he saw it as a revenge game, Cushing said: "No. I don't think you think clearly when you start to think like that.

Image: Caroline Weir celebrates firing Manchester City Women into the lead against Manchester United Women

"We had an incredibly difficult game against Atletico Madrid last season - every game is hard. The women's game is so competitive now.

"We just enjoy going up against the best teams and for sure, Atletico Madrid are a top team."

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The Spanish champions, who have started their league campaign with four wins and a 6-1 loss to Barcelona, signed former City forward Toni Duggan over the summer after she left Barca.

Image: Cushing has been at the club since 2014

Regarding the 28-year-old England international - with City from 2013 to 2017 - Cushing said: "If you look at Toni's history here, she scored some incredibly big goals, played well and won trophies.

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"She was a fan favourite and we hope she gets a good welcome, but we want to make sure we put the performance in that wins the game."

City - who have made a 100 per cent start to 2019-20 - have won the WSL, in 2016, the Women's FA Cup and the Continental League Cup twice each under Cushing since he took charge in 2014.

Image: Captain Steph Houghton lifted the Women's FA Cup last season

They have also twice reached the Champions League semi-finals, in 2017 and 2018.

"I've never felt there is a particular trophy I wanted to win more than the others. I want to win them all, but I'm also realistic that it's incredibly difficult to win the Champions League," Cushing said.

Cushing said a late decision will be made on whether Pauline Bremer is involved on Wednesday, after she picked up a knock ahead of the Birmingham game.

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