Manchester City forward Beth Mead has said that the team's dramatic 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in their UEFA Women's Champions League return shows the "character of the team."
City were 2-0 down inside 30 minutes but Mead struck in the first half to cut the deficit, although there was some controversy around the goal as it happened while there was a flare burning on the pitch, right where City were attacking.
Bayern players claimed that the flare had interfered with play but neither side stopped playing as Khadija "Bunny" Shaw's blocked shot looped towards goal and Mead fired into an empty net.
Carlotta Wamser then took advantage of some poor Bayern defending and scored in the 85th minute to make it 2-2, ensuring that City came away from the Stadion Am Sportpark with a point.
In a post-match interview, Mead said that City's fightback is indicative of their "never say die" attitude.
"It shows the character of the team to come back, get a point from the game. I think that's probably fair in the end but yeah, nice to get something from the game today," she said.
When asked if this match was telling of what to expect from City on the European stage this year round, Mead said she thought it showed exactly what City can bring to games.
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"I think we've got a 'never say die' attitude, you know? We showed that in the second half a lot better. We were in the game more, we created more chances, we got ourselves back into the game," the former Arsenal star said.
"I think it shows what Man City can bring and shows that we'll never give up in games."
City head coach Andrée Jeglertz also praised the team's character and ability to claw their way back into matches.
"It [a comeback] has happened before because we know the quality is there. The mentality of winning and the belief is there. It shows something about this group again," he said.
"There were definitely two phases of this game. In the first half, Bayern were very good. I think we were a bit slow on the ball ... It was almost like we were surprised by the tempo. I know we weren't but it looked like that. At the end of the first half, we got a little bit back.
"The trust and the belief at half time was good so I felt that this is still possible."
