Arsenal head to Belgium tomorrow to play OH Leuven at their sold-out stadium. This is the last league-phase game from the women’s Champions League and for both teams an important match to get better places in the ranks.
OH Leuven sit in twelfth position in the UEFA Women’s Champions League table, the final play-off spot, and they will need a win to secure that spot. And it is for that Renée Slegers will not be taking them lightly.
With all matches being played at the same time, clubs will be keeping a keen eye on what is going on elsewhere in the competition. Slegers explained that she expects tomorrow’s opponents to be in the same position and that both clubs may need to be tactically flexible given the situations in other matches.
Vålerenga are OH Leuven’s nearest rivals, two points behind, but have the daunting prospect of having to go to Bayern and get something.
“They’re interesting because they are very disciplined in everything they do.”
“They defend in certain areas, but they also have the ability to change things in-game. They can go higher, they can go lower. They have quite some depth in the squad, so they can make changes that will change the game for them.
“So there are a lot of different scenarios for the game tomorrow. You see, in the Champions League, it’s just a small data set, but the first half has looked different from the second half so far, and only those five games, maybe four games, apart from the Barcelona game, which plays out differently.
“But it’s going to be an interesting game with a lot of different scenarios, like we just said, and a team that can change in-game as well.”
Forward, Beth Mead added, “We’ve done our homework. Obviously, they’re a very different type of team to play against. We’ve watched them play against Barcelona and other teams. We know what they’re about. We know what we have to do and bring to the game to win the game. We’re looking forward to it. It’s another Champions League night to play in.
“I don’t think you ever take any Champions League game lightly. It’s always a pleasure to be able to play in one. I’m very excited to test ourselves against very different opposition again. Obviously, with the way the Champions League path is now, you get to play against a lot of different teams. I think we enjoy being able to play our football, being able to play the Arsenal way within the game, and hopefully go out there and get the three points again.”
Leah’s comeback creates extra positive energy.
Arsenal Fans will be hoping to see a glimpse of Leah Williamson after she made her long-awaited comeback. Slegers told us, “Yes, it always gives an injection when players come back from injury because the rest of the squad gets really happy and it just creates a positive energy.
“Of course, with Leah, she’s one of our leaders. She’s been at the club since she was a little child, and she feels strongly for the club, and that brings something, of course. But then also her leadership in and around the team, on the pitch, she’s very intelligent. Solving things in the moment, and she brings so much quality in the centre-back position. So, yes, it was a real positive injection for the team, and she brings so many things to the team. I’m so happy to have her back.”
Mariona Caldentey: 6 or 10, always important
Slegers also went on to praise the flexibility of Spain forward, Mariona Caldentey. “If you look at Mariona and the reports we get back after every game, regardless of the position she plays in, she’s so important for us with her progressive passing and setting up opportunities for the team. So whatever the role she plays for the team, she’s able to do that for us.
“She plays mostly on the left for Spain, plays into midfield sometimes as well for Spain nowadays, came to Arsenal, and played a lot on the left. Then we had a situation last year when we had a couple of injuries on the sixes and then she did really well. We created a lot from having her in lower spaces to be able to progress the ball and then join later. She’s really good in the 10 as well. So she’s played three different roles for us. But at the end of the day, wherever she is, she contributes to the team from an attacking perspective, and I think that’s really impressive that wherever she is, she’s going to play that role for the team.”
“We always love extra games, don’t we?”
There is a lot of talk about the Women’s Champions Cup and the extra matches this brings for Arsenal. Fans are concerned about the extra risk of injuries and burnout for the players. Beth Mead shares her perspective on this matter from a player’s point of view.
“We are professional, we are a club. We know how to look after ourselves and the club knows to look after us, I have no doubt in that. It is a great competition to be able to play in, so I can say I am looking forward to having a chance to play in the first Champions Cup. Yeah, obviously it is a lot of games, and I guess as a professional some players have to manage ourselves best alongside of obviously the manager and the club too. But we always love extra games, don’t we?”
Arsenal travel to Belgium to face OH Leuven on Wednesday, kicking off at 8pm UK time.
