FROM THE EMIRATES STADIUM: Arsenal booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League thanks to a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday night.
Lina Hurtug’s late goal was welcome after a relentless 90 minutes from the Gunners, who had previously failed to find the back of the net because the away side made such a low block.
They have joined Women’s Super League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City in the last 16 of the European tournament, helped by an earlier 1-1 draw between Bayern Munich and Valerenga to consolidate the top two spots in the group with two games to go to spare
The result continues the Gunners’ unbeaten run under interim manager Renee Slegers, whose future role remains unclear. The former assistant has played a crucial role in helping Arsenal return to winning ways, following a disappointing start to the season with Jonas Eidevall missing today.
The north London club are committed to finding a new permanent replacement, but Slegers recent performances have led many to speculate whether he should get the job.
How the game developed
Arsenal kept possession from the first whistle, but it was clear that Juventus’ low blocking was going to cause problems. Caitlin Foord quickly asserted her dominance on the right wing, making threatening runs that were stopped by Juventus’ Paulina Krumbiegel.
Luckily for the Gunners that didn’t cause too much concern, given their four-goal lead from last week in Biella. But the lack of emotion continued well into the opening 25 minutes, with Arsenal’s best chance coming from a curled ball into the box by Katie McCabe that fell just wide of Alessia Russo’s head.
Not long after that it was Stina Blackstenius with the next chance, running onto the ball thanks to a sneaky pass from Russo. However, she came in too hard and fired it over the crossbar. The Gunners had recorded 76% possession by the half, highlighting their level of control over the Italian visitors as they tirelessly tried to find the back of the net.
The second half continued much like the first, but Arsenal’s persistence was about to pay off, with Frida Maanum thinking a pass into the left corner had hit the net when instead it fell deviated
Substitute Hurtig found himself in front of an open goal in the 82nd minute but couldn’t connect with a header. It looked like it would be Arsenal’s last chance to take the lead.
However, it wasn’t long before the player himself secured the Gunners’ victory. After a persistent 90 minutes, Arsenal’s efforts were rewarded. It might not have been quite the thrashing they displayed a week earlier, but it was certainly a convincing display from Slegers once again.
GK: Daphne van Domselaar – 6/10 – He only had to make two saves over the 90 minutes, and he did so with confidence.
RB: Emily Fox – 5/10 – The USWNT player recorded a 94% passing accuracy rate, despite making a few sloppy passes that were quickly intercepted by Juventus.
CB: Leah Williamson – 5/10 – He maintained control when needed, although hardly as Arsenal stayed in front for most of the game.
CB: Steph Catley – 6/10 – Like the rest of his defensive line, he didn’t have much to do. Despite this, the Australian international continued to look comfortable at centre-back.
LB: Katie McCabe – 7/10 – The defense had more involvement in his team’s attacking efforts than the rest of his teammates. It was his cross into the box in the first half that was one of Arsenal’s best chances.
CM: Leah Walt – 5/10 – The midfielder seemed frustrated by her lack of ability to overcome Juventus. In the second half, this led to her making a few wrong passes.
CM: Kim Little (c) – 7/10 – The boss found space in the middle and was able to link up with Russo and Maanum on occasions, but it was clear that he was struggling to find a way past Juventus’ deep blocking which prevented further opportunities.
CM: Frida Maanum – 7/10 – Like Russo, Maanum struggled to find space and was unable to create a consistent threat as a result. However, he almost found the net in the 58th minute.
RW: Mariona Caldentey – 8/10 – The new recruit looked more comfortable on the ball compared to recent games, working well in tandem with Foord. His ability to switch sides when necessary is never overlooked, allowing him to use the width of the entire pitch.
ST: Alessia Russo – 7/10 – The England international did his best to find space and get past the Juventus backline, but his low blocking made it all but impossible. However, she kept busy and when she played with the ball she showed strength and looked confident.
LW: Caitlin Food – 8/10– The winger has stood out this season and his performance on Thursday night was no different. Although he didn’t always find a way through Juventus’ low blocking, his pace and energy when on the ball clearly unsettled the visiting team and allowed him to slowly break them down.
Substitutes
SUB: Beth Mead (66′ for Ford) – 5/10 – The English international could not find his rhythm.
SUB: Stina Blackstenius (66′ for Maanum) – 5/10 – He failed to make an impact, registering zero shots on goal during his time on the field.
SUB: Lina Hurtig (80′ by Russo) – 7/10
SUB: Rosa Kafaji (87′ for Little) – N/A
Subs not used: Manuela Zinsberger (GK), Naomi Williams (GK), Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina, Laura Wienroither, Katie Reid, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Kathrine Kuhl.
manager
Renee Slegers – 7/10 – Arsenal’s caretaker boss will be delighted to have got the job done on Thursday night and to have played a pivotal role in helping his side secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. He named an unchanged starting eleven from their 3-0 win over Tottenham last weekend in the WSL, reinforcing the confidence he has in the Gunners’ squad of players.
