9 months ago
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LEILA OUAHABI is uncertain if a celebratory tattoo will be on the cards if she helps Manchester City win a WSL title this season.
For the left-back it’s a case of “maybe or maybe not” with her focus being on their club chasing their first league crown under Gareth Taylor
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The TimesThe experienced defender, whose team play Man United at the Etihad today has her left arm adorned with striking designs.
Some of these illustrations pay tribute to the important moments and people in her life.
Amongst them is a stylish depiction of a butterfly she shares with her ex-Barcelona team-mate Patri Guijarro.
For Ouahabi it symbolises the feeling of butterflies she had in her belly before her old club won the Women’s Champions League for the first time in 2021.
In June that year the most dominant women’s football club in Spain stunned City’s title rivals Chelsea in a 4-0 demolition.
Of her tattoo and memory of that match she said: “I remember in that game against Chelsea in the (Women’s Champions League) final.
“Hours before I felt nervous and I talked with Patri and told her, ‘I’m feeling nervous’.
“We spoke to each other and said if we win this title, we would get tattoos of a butterfly.
“The meaning behind that is when you feel butterflies in your stomach when you feel nervous ahead of doing something big.”
Ouahabi, whose club career began in Barcelona’s academy at the age of 13, hopes to pull off something big this season with City aiming to end Chelsea’s dominance at the WSL’s summit.
A Cityzens win today would consign neighbours United to their second WSL derby day defeat this term.
It would also see City leap above the Blues to the top of the table with Chelsea playing on Sunday.
The lunchtime clash is one of five derbies taking place today and tomorrow across the top two tiers of the women’s game as part of Women’s Football Weekend.
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea will visit West Ham and while Everton will go toe-to-toe with fifth-placed Liverpool at Goodison Park in the WSL.
Elsewhere Championship leaders Sunderland will take on Durham at home.
And their promotion chasing rivals Crystal Palace, who are second in the division, will host Watford.
It is hoped matches across these weekend will lead to bigger crowd attendances at fixtures.
Of City’s clash with the Red Devils, Ouahabi added: “It will be a good game and a competitive one.
“Man United have good players. We will try to enjoy it and demonstrate our style. I hope the fans enjoy it with us.
On how Manchester derbies compare to Barcelona’s clasico duels with Real Madrid, she said: “I feel it’s the same to be fair, because it will be a good game.
“It’s a derby like (the ones) in Spain and the feelings and emotions are similar because it will be exciting.”
Today’s fixture could see Ouahabi, who has played in 12 of City’s 16 top-flight games this term, feature in her fourth WSL derby.
The last league duel between the rivals resulted in City battling from a goal down to claim a 3-1 win at an Old Trafford last November
Ouahabi, who signed a two-year contract extension with the club last month, sees Gareth Taylor’s side as one that reflects her persona.
And the defender, who helped Barcelona to 15 major silverware wins wants to City become a trophy-winning force.
Ouahabi, who sealed a July 2022 City move, after her six-year second spell at Barca adds: “Man City has a playing style that is like my character.
Getty“I’m passionate and have a lot of character when I’m in the game.
“We want the ball, and we want to enjoy the game. It’s similar to when I played in Barcelona, a similar concept.
“I want to win every game and I want to win titles. I want these things for Man City.”
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