MUNICH, Germany -- Manchester City's gritty performance reflected the winning mentality that won them the Women's Super League last season. But questions remain over whether the squad can handle the pressures of Europe.
The 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Women's Champions League suggested an evenly contested match between two domestic champions. Still, City had to dig deep and call upon the mentality that surged them ahead in the WSL last season after a harsh dose of reality in the first half.
Bayern's fast start and fast-paced attack had City on the back foot early. It didn't take much for Giulia Gwinn to exploit the space left by the full backs and to rocket a strike into the back of the net before the rapid speed of Bayern's attack meant Kerstin Casparij unfortunately converted into her own net, unable to organize her feet as a Pernille Harder cross was fired in.
The side missed out last season after finishing fourth in the WSL the season prior. Last term, under new manager Andrée Jeglertz, the side won the title, breaking a decade-long wait for domestic glory and returning to the European competition.
Their year-long absence from the competition was a vital factor in their ascension to the top of the English domestic pyramid, able to focus on just the league and capitalize on Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United's struggles to balance both taxing competitions.
It is a feat now facing City. Their first game back was reflective of a side off the pace when it comes to the level of this competition, but also showed how City's grit to claw back a draw could send them further into the competition than people may have thought, considering the first half an hour of their display in Munich.
City can probably thank the Bayern fan who threw a flare onto the pitch at the end of the first half. It forced a lapse in concentration from the Bayern players as they expected the referee to stop play -- per the regulations, the flare wasn't causing immediate danger or interference, allowing play to continue.
But as City generated their first real attack of the evening, Bayern's lapse allowed Beth Mead to tap home from close range, much to the dismay of the hosts and fans who jeered at the visitors.
City grew into the game in the second half and were able to take back some control, ultimately leading to Carlotta Wamser being unmarked in the box and slotting home with four minutes on the clock.
Had City had their first-choice XI, potentially neither of the goal scorers would have started against Bayern. The Manchester team are already operating with a threadbare squad, and that is alarming given that it is the first week of the campaign.
Summer signing Niamh Charles is still carrying a knock and has yet to make her debut. Center back Rebecca Knaak was ruled out through injury. Sydney Lohmann's struggles with injury have persisted since her stop-start season last campaign. Iman Beney suffered a concussion during the WSL clash with Liverpool and Vivianne Miedema underwent another knee surgery before the start of the season. Finally, full back Laura Wienroither was not registered in the Champions League squad.
This left City with two goalkeepers, one striker, two midfielders and three academy youngsters on the bench to face one of the most experienced European teams in Bayern, who had won 15 league phase games in a row prior to their meeting.
With a title-defending league campaign underway, in one of the most competitive domestic leagues and a European stint to contend with, City's injury problems could vastly exacerbate their on-pitch issues.
Local rivals United learned this the hard way last season during their European debut when their injury crisis hit a breaking point in the quarterfinal against this same opponent and were undone by their lack of options off the bench.
Chelsea and Arsenal, both seasoned campaigners, have struggled to build squads capable of competing in both the league and Champions League simultaneously, making City's task even harder, having not added enough depth in the summer.
Jeglertz retained the core of Gareth Taylor's team when he was appointed last season and led the side to their first title in a decade at the first time of asking.
But in trying to revamp the squad over the summer, introducing new players that better fit his style and trying to keep up with the demands for players -- Barcelona signed key winger Kerolin in the closing days of the transfer window -- there will undoubtedly be teething problems this season.
But there is little time to dwell on what could have been if City had a better transfer window or did not suffer so many early injuries. The grit and determination shown to pull back a draw from a two-goal deficit should not be understated.
The hallmark of a winning team is the ability to pull a result out of nothing. It doesn't have to be pretty or comfortable, but in City rescuing a point in the closing stages of the opening game, they have weathered their first storm of the campaign.
Having avoided any of the top four European teams in the draw, City's route to the knockouts is easier than most, but that won't matter if their mentality wavers or more injuries hit the thin squad.
