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London City Lionesses head coach Eder Maestre praised the growing understanding within his revamped squad after an impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United, saying their display on the opening day reflected the identity they are trying to build.

Expectations around London City have risen sharply after an ambitious summer transfer window, with Alexia Putellas among several marquee arrivals. But although much of the spotlight before her competitive debut had fallen on the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Maestre was eager to highlight the collective effort after his side claimed all three points.

London City were especially dominant in the first 45 minutes, creating a number of chances and not allowing United to register a single shot before half-time.

“I think we were really strong, mostly in the first half,” Maestre said. “We had many chances to have a bigger gap.

“You are facing Manchester United, so you can’t imagine that you are going to be so dominant all the game because they have a lot of good players. I think the team showed how capable it is to play with dominance, an identity that we are trying to create. So I’m very proud of the team.”

United improved significantly after the break and eventually pulled one back through Simi Awujo in stoppage time, but London City had already done enough to secure an important opening victory.

For Maestre, the showing marked an encouraging first step for a squad that has changed considerably over the summer. Integrating a large number of new players from different clubs, countries and football backgrounds has brought its own challenge.

“It’s one of the most challenging situations for any coach, when you have talented players but maybe this clash of cultures and you’re trying to align everybody on the same page,” he explained. “We are trying to create something big where everybody can feel represented. That’s why I am very happy with the performance that we reached today. Having all the players on the same page and trying to start creating that chemistry makes a difference when we work and try to hit the targets that we have established.”

Putellas was inevitably the centre of attention before kick-off.

The former Barcelona midfielder was recently named London City captain and made her first competitive appearance for the club in front of a record home crowd, which included several supporters who had travelled from Spain.

While Maestre acknowledged all that Putellas can bring to the project, he was reluctant to let the discussion around the win centre only on his new captain.

“Alexia Putellas, everybody knows all the things that she can create and bring to others,” he said.

“Having this kind of player in the squad is very important because she represents the high standards. Having her involved in the project is not only because of her performance, but the leadership that she can bring.

“But it’s not only about speaking about Alexia. Alexia is only a player. I think the most impactful thing is the way we play as a team, being everybody connected.

“The chemistry that we are building around the players, I think, is the most important thing today.”

Delphine Cascarino, who also played an important role in London City’s victory, echoed her manager’s view of the influence Putellas can have on the squad.

“We chose her as the captain,” Cascarino said. “We can see that she’s a really good player, one of the best players in the world.

“She can help us with her experience and her mentality of a winner. We have a lot of young players and she can give some advice to them. It’s really nice to have her and many other players in the team.”

Cascarino also revealed that Putellas had urged her team-mates to make all their hard work during pre-season count before they went out onto the pitch.

“We worked a lot during pre-season, and now we have to make the routine proud,” she explained.

“We have to win every game, especially at home. It was really important to bring the three points tonight. She tried to motivate us and she gave us really good energy to start the game.”

There is no disguising the ambition around London City this season.

Owner Michele Kang was present for the opening fixture and embraced the players after the final whistle, having overseen another major phase of investment in the squad.

Cascarino believes Kang’s presence and ambition have been important as London City try to establish themselves among the Women’s Super League’s leading teams.

“It’s really important to have her around the team for every game,” Cascarino said.

“She’s a businesswoman and she has a really good vision. She tries to invest in our team, in our club, to build something big.

“We believe in her and we are really proud to have a boss like her. She’s a really big example as a woman.”

That ambition is shared by the players.

Asked whether London City’s squad is capable of achieving something special this season, Cascarino made it clear that belief is present inside the dressing room.

“It feels really fun to win today,” she said. “I think we have a chance to do something this season.

“We try to build something huge with a big team, and I think we have the opportunity.”

Maestre, however, was keen to keep some perspective after just one match.

London City’s opening display provided an exciting sign of what their rebuilt squad may be capable of, but their manager knows there is still plenty of work to do.

“We need to be humble,” he said.

Even so, it was hard to overlook the significance of London City’s performance.

Putellas’ arrival may have generated much of the attention around the club ahead of the new campaign, but their opening win underlined the depth of quality around her.

For Maestre, that collective strength and the chemistry developing among his players may ultimately matter far more than any individual name.

On the evidence of their opening performance, London City’s ambitious project is beginning to take shape.