Tinja-Riikka: ‘This can be a turning point for us’

Tinja-Riikka Korpela has fond memories of one of our previous trips to Manchester City, ahead of this weekend’s game at The Academy Stadium in the Women’s Super League.

We take on Gareth Taylor’s side at 2pm on Sunday, and Korpela is looking forward to the fight to begin March on a high.

“We had some good memories there last season,” she said, looking back to the 2-1 victory in 2021. “We got the win there, which probably helped us and gave us confidence for the rest of the season. 

“This is now a turning point for us. We need points. We have played quite well in the last couple of games, but in the end it doesn’t help if you don’t get the points. We’re going there and are going to do our best to hopefully get some points.

“Man City is a great team, one of the best in Europe. To get the win there on their home ground was a big thing for us. Why can’t we do it again? That’s what we’re aiming for.”

We’ll be looking to respond to last weekend’s defeat against Reading in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.

“I think the beginning of the game was not the best from us, but we managed to get over that phase,” Tinni reflected. “In the end, we played quite well, it was only the goals that were missing. 

“As a goalkeeper, clean sheets are something that you always have in your mind before the game. It’s the wins that matter, but if you keep the clean sheet, it helps the team. You only would need to score one goal, but it’s important for all of us, not just for goalkeepers. It’s nice to see that everyone wants to keep that clean sheet.”

One positive to come from last weekend’s game was the return of Kit Graham, who came back off the bench following a long period out with injury.

“It was a big moment for every one of us,” Korpela added. “We’ve seen Kit working so hard this whole time over one year in the gym and on the pitch. She has always been positive and in a good mood even though it has been really difficult for her for sure. 

“Kit is a great player and last season, before she got injured, she was definitely one of our best players, so we’re all really happy that she’s back.

“Her ability on the ball. She’s a baller! Her skills are… it’s always good to have her on your side in small sided drills in training. Her creativity, passing and shooting skills can definitely help us for the rest of the season.”

Prior to the FA Cup fixture, Korpela was among the Finland internationals to win the Cyprus Cup during the international break, alongside Spurs teammate Eveliina Summanen.

“We had a difficult last season with the national team. We didn’t get too many wins, so it was good to get three wins in a row and actually win something. It’s not something that we do every year with our national team. Hopefully we will more in the future. 

“It was a good camp overall. We had some new faces in staff and players and players got many minutes. Ev scored to goals from free-kicks, so it was a good camp for her as well.”

March now presents four opportunities for points with two trips up north followed by the visit of Leicester City and a London derby at Brisbane Road with Arsenal.

“I’m only thinking about this weekend and I hope the rest of the team are as well,” Korpela said. “We need to go game by game, but we know anything can still happen with ten games to go this season. There are many points to take, but we focus on Man City now and hopefully get a good turn to this season from now on.”