Fiorentina Women were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at the City Academy Stadium in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday evening.

The tie got off to the worst possible start for the Viola, as City raced into a two-goal lead inside five minutes. Lauren Hemp headed the opener for the hosts on two minutes before turning provider to set up Ellen White for 2-0 before Antonio Cincotta’s side could catch their breath.

To their credit, Fiorentina rallied after the body blow of the two early goals, ensuring that the rest of the first half was a more even affair. Yet an injury to Sara Baldi caused further headaches for the Viola coaching team, who were already dealing with a long list of absentees.

The second half brought with it a golden opportunity for Fiorentina to haul themselves back into the tie. Lana Clelland – on a substitute – played a fine sweeping pass into the path of Frederikke Thogersen, with the Dane galloping up-field only to skew her shot just wide of goal at the crucial moment.

The Viola continued to probe in search of a vital away goal, but it was from one such attack that City scored their third goal, this time from the head of Sam Mewis.

The second leg will take place in Florence on 11 March.

Man City 3-0 Fiorentina (HT: 2-0)
Scorers: Hemp 2, White 4, Mewis 87.

MANCHESTER CITY: Roebuck, Bronze, Houghton (C), Greenwood, Coombs (64' Lavelle), Stanway, Dahlkemper, Weir (64' Mewis), Kelly, Hemp (64' Morgan), White.
Subs not used: Mannion, Beckie, Walsh, Benameur, Keating, Davies.
Coach: Gareth Taylor.

ACF FIORENTINA: Schroffenegger, Cordia, Quinn, Adami (C), Thogersen, Vigilucci, Neto Middag, Zanoli (75' Monnecchi), Baldi (46' Clelland), Sabatino.
Subs not used: Ohrstrom, Tortelli, Breitner, Piemonte, Forcinella, Pastifieri, Papi, Mani.
Coach: Antonio Cincotta.

Check out highlights from the game below.

After the game, Antonio Cincotta acknowledged that Manchester City were on another level to his side.

Valery Vigilucci also spoke after the final whistle, admitting her disappointment at the result.

Check out the best images from the match below.