By Oriakhi loveth Omosefe
Champions League Final: Arsenal Face Defending Holders Barcelona
Lisbon, May 23 — Arsenal will face defending champions Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on Saturday,
with the English side looking to secure their first European title since 2007.
Barcelona, winners of the competition three times and finalists in six of the last seven seasons, enter the match as favourites.
The Spanish club has already clinched the domestic league and cup titles this year and is seeking a second consecutive quadruple.
Arsenal, lifted the trophy in 2007, reached the final after a dramatic turnaround against Lyon in the semi-finals.
Following a 2–1 defeat in the first leg at home, they produced a 4–1 victory in the return leg in France to book their place in Lisbon.
Head coach Renee Slegers, appointed in October, credited her team’s resilience and preparation ahead of the clash.
“We respect Barcelona — they are a very difficult team to face,” Slegers said at Friday’s pre-match press conference.
“But we are here to win and have to find ways to do that.”
Slegers highlighted the need for focus and belief against a side widely regarded as the best in Europe.
“We need courage, discipline, and to be switched on for the full match,” she said. “We also have to trust in our own capacity.”
Arsenal forward Alessia Russo, who was recently named the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Player of the Year,
said the team’s progress throughout the season has given them confidence.
“We’ve spoken a lot about belief,” Russo said. “That performance in Lyon is something we want to carry with us.
It was a moment we needed to deliver, and we did.”
The squad met earlier this week with members of Arsenal’s 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup-winning team.
Russo said the experience reminded the current players of the club’s European legacy.
“It was really special to hear their stories and see what it still means to them,” she said. “It’s a reminder of what this club stands for.”
Captain Kim Little, who scored in Arsenal’s 7–0 aggregate win over Barcelona in the 2012 round of 32,
is the only player in the current squad with a goal against the Spanish side.
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“I don’t remember too many details, but I know I scored and Jenny [Beattie] did too,” Little said.
“I hope to create more memories tomorrow.”
Barcelona’s squad includes several players from Spain’s World Cup-winning team and features top performers such as Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí.
Known for their pressing and possession-based style, they are unbeaten in Europe this season.
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