Arsenal’s head coach, Renee Slegers, lauded her team’s performance following their dramatic comeback against Real Madrid, securing a spot in the Champions League semi-finals. Arsenal’s uphill battle became tougher as they lost 2-0 at home in the first leg. They came back in the second half and flipped the game back on their side. That victory now sets up a dream reverse fixture, with Lyon in the last eight of a tantalisingly close tournament.
For Slegers, that’s critical—to have a versatile enough squad that you can make a big, massive impact at the most crucial of moments. She was most excited by the team’s ability to pivot. They took on and overcame each challenge that stood in their way, on the field and away from it, as well. She spoke about the necessity of playing surfaces that are up to standard. She compared their home fortitude at the Emirates with the brutal welcome they received in Madrid.
A Squad Built for Success
Renee Slegers credits Arsenal’s success to the depth and capability of her squad. She stressed the need to have guys who can make an impact when they come in off the bench. This is going to be important as the divisions compete at the highest level.
“We were energetic in the first half, our press was very good, but in the second half we spoke about how we had such a good squad with players who could come on and make a difference.” – Renee Slegers
Slegers emphasized Arsenal’s ability to exploit spaces in the final third. This proactive approach was central to their remarkable turnaround. The Hall of Fame coach lauded her players’ poise and composure in responding to early adversity and executing their strategy to perfection.
Challenges in Madrid
The task in Madrid was going to be a daunting one for Arsenal on numerous fronts. Slegers went on to criticize Real Madrid for putting their women’s team in a smaller stadium. She thinks it’s the historic Bernabeu that should be put to use for them instead. She asserted that such decisions would have an expected effect on the style and quality of the game, as well as the players’ spirits.
Slegers pointed to the torrential rain that turned Arsenal’s job into a physically grueling assignment. Freezing rain, cold winds, and unbearably slippery turf would prove to be yet another element of difficulty within an already daunting away game.
“Football is played on grass and we obviously played on grass in Madrid, but any team will play better football on good pitches.” – Renee Slegers
Slegers had half-jokingly suggested that perhaps Arsenal had previously “played on rocks” in their last defeat in Madrid. This comment was telling about her team’s drive to punch above their weight against daunting odds.
A Remarkable Comeback
Arsenal’s ability to recover from setbacks has been a defining characteristic under Slegers’ leadership. She described her company’s impact in terms of the pride exhibited by her team of altruistic innovators and their ability to perform under pressure when it matters most.
“We’ve done really good things before, coming back from half-times and setbacks, really good performances against top teams.” – Renee Slegers
The boss was especially pleased with Arsenal’s fighting spirit and tactical switch in the second half, allowing them to come from behind and claim all three points. The team’s performance demonstrated their skill and their mental fortitude, setting a positive tone as they prepare to face Lyon.
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