No fear for Bristol Academy in Europe - boss Sampson
Last updated on .From the section Football
Bristol Academy manager Mark Sampson says they will have "no fear" going into the away leg of their Champions League clash with Energiya Voronezh.
Sampson's team could only manage a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Ashton Gate on Thursday - Pamela Conti's penalty cancelling out Jess Fishlock's opener.
"The girls are probably more confident after tonight then they were before," he told BBC Radio Bristol.
"We've got a group of players going to Russia next week with no fear."
Women's Super League side Bristol qualified for the competition for the first time in their short history after reaching the final of the FA Cup in May.
And although their opponents were also making their bow in the tournament, they are a big name in the domestic game with five championships under their belt.
But Sampson insists they will have the upper hand when they travel to Russia on 5 October.
"I think it will be an easier task," he added. "When you are the away team you can afford to sit off and hold your shape, play a bit on the counter-attack which is what our opponents did.
"Over there I think the pitch will be different, which we will have to adapt to but I think they'll have to come onto us. We've got to score but there's no rush to score.
"They've put in a big shift to give us a great chance next week of going through to the last 16 and that's what we are determined to do."
