Arsenal Women’s interim head coach, Renee Slegers, is brimming with confidence after her team’s narrow 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich, which secured them the top spot in Group C of the Women’s Champions League. The win, sealed by Mariona Caldentey’s late penalty, not only delivered a crucial three points but also guaranteed Arsenal’s place in the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition. The match was a hard-fought contest, with a deflected own goal from Bayern’s Glodis Vigosdottir and a clinical strike from Alessia Russo earlier in the game helping the Gunners to edge out the Bundesliga giants.
Despite the close scoreline, Slegers was optimistic about her team’s chances in the tournament. Speaking to DAZN after the match, the interim coach praised her players for their resilience, saying, “We need to have that belief, and we have that belief, especially after today. There are things we can do better in the game, but it was the same against Liverpool [1-0 win on Sunday]. We don’t play our best game, but still, we found ways to win and that is a sign of a top team.” Slegers acknowledged that the team still had areas to improve but was pleased with their ability to find solutions and secure wins, even when not performing at their peak.
One of Slegers’ key points of focus was the growth and development of women’s football, which she believes is raising the level of competition in the Women’s Champions League. Arsenal, having topped their group and secured qualification for the knockout stages, will now face some of the best teams in Europe, but Slegers remains confident in her squad’s potential. “There are a lot of strong teams, but we’re one of them, and we will continue to fight,” she said. Her belief in the team’s quality, even when they are not firing on all cylinders, highlights the strength and mentality Arsenal has cultivated in recent seasons.
The match against Bayern Munich took place at Meadow Park, Arsenal’s home ground, rather than the Emirates Stadium due to a scheduling conflict with the men’s team, who were playing Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. Despite the change in venue, Slegers said that the smaller, more intimate setting of Meadow Park felt like a home advantage for the team. “It’s so intimate playing here because you are so close to the fans. It felt like a home game definitely,” she remarked. The pitch size at Meadow Park is also smaller than that of the Emirates Stadium, but Slegers felt that the players adapted well to the environment and put in a solid performance.
Looking ahead to the knockout rounds, Slegers expressed confidence that Arsenal, with their blend of experience and youthful energy, can continue to compete with Europe’s elite teams. The team’s ability to win games, even when not playing their best football, has been a hallmark of their success this season. With the likes of Caldentey, Russo, and their solid defensive unit, Arsenal is well-positioned for another deep run in the competition. The resilience shown in this match against Bayern Munich has strengthened their belief that they can go the distance in the Women’s Champions League, as they look to build on their strong start to the 2023-24 campaign.
