Skinner: Stats sum up Wolfsburg defeat
Marc Skinner says the errors his Manchester United side made in Germany were punished by a "clinical" Wolfsburg outfit, who were able to condemn us to a 5-2 defeat.
The Reds took the lead at the Volkswagen Arena and, despite later falling behind, were well in the contest at 2-3 down with just under half-an-hour left to play.
Pinpoint finishing from the hosts however, who converted five of their six shots on target, and a few too many mistakes were costly for United in the end, who fell to a first defeat of the Champions League's 'league phase'.
Skinner's post-Wolfsburg interview
Marc Skinner believes his United side must learn vital lessons after our loss in Germany...
"I think the stats sum it up really. We [gave up] six shots on target [and] five goals," Skinner said in his post-match press conference at the Volkswagen Arena.
"They have been clinical but, really, we have given them the game. We know that, we're professional people, professional players.
"It was quite an even game, quite competitive and then the goals [are key].
"They [the players] will be hurting, but they go away on international window, come back and we'll reflect and move forward."
United headed for Manchester Airport shortly after full-time in Wolfsburg and the squad will now disperse for a block of international fixtures, before our season resumes with five games in December.
The upcoming month's schedule includes our final two ties of the European league phase, at home to Lyon and away to Juventus, in which we'll look to build on the wins in our first three games.
Victories over Valerenga, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have put Skinner's side in a strong position to progress from our first involvement at the centrepiece stage of the elite women's tournament.
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"We've come off the back of a loss, but we've been incredible in the Champions League," Skinner added, ahead of the imminent international break. "This is the first year and we've won three games out of four, and then played Wolfsburg, who have an amazing history in this competition.
"It's the sharp edge of the sword that you play with, but we should have those high standards. We're enjoying it, we've got Lyon next.
"They're a tough team and, of course, Juve to finish. We've got to try and maximise the points.
"But we need this reset point now [of the international break], it's really tough, [three successive] Champions League games basically with City in the middle being that level. It's a cruel run, but that's where we want to be, competing at that level."