Before every home game, Renée Slegers gives her thoughts around the team and our upcoming game in her manager’s notes published in the matchday programme.
Ahead of our big Champions League quarter-final first leg against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium, the head coach looks back on our win over West Ham United on Saturday and ahead to the latest big night under the N5 lights.
Good evening and welcome to Emirates Stadium for a historic UEFA Champions League quarter-final against a rival from the WSL who we know very well.
This promises to be a huge night in north London and we hope you’re all as galvanised as we are. Off the back of our biggest league win of the season, this squad is full of confidence for the task ahead.
Last Saturday was an opportunity to trial some new partnerships and test out players in unfamiliar positions, all in pursuit of achieving as much versatility in the team as possible. I was delighted that everyone executed their roles perfectly and that the personnel shifts didn’t affect our game for a moment.
That’s exactly what I wanted to see going into the game. Five goals, a clean sheet and a lovely hat-trick – there’s not much more you could ask for! Of course, Chloe is a player you miss when she’s out with injury, but now she’s back she’s the best version of herself.
I thought she was great for us against London City, getting 90 minutes back under her belt, and then she contributed in so many ways other than her goals against West Ham. She’s in such a good place right now and it’s fantastic to see. As well as Laia reaching 50 appearances and Vic reaching 50 WSL appearances, it was also great that Sophie Harwood was able to make her senior debut.
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It would be easy for anyone to get excited making their debut at the Emirates on a sunny Saturday, when we were already 5-0 up, but Sophie stayed incredibly calm. Her natural positions are full back or midfield but she came on as a No.9 and she took to that role very well. She did well in the press, made purposeful runs and had good control over the ball. It’s not just the squad that has been working hard across this nine-game winning run.
Our medics and physios, analysts and coaches – everyone in the backroom staff has contributed to the results on the pitch. We’re all working together to make sure these players are in the best possible position to perform, so I’m very proud of the team behind the team. Now it’s time for another London derby and this time, it’s a battle for a place in the Champions League semi-finals.
Facing a team we know as well as Chelsea in a brand new setting makes for an interesting challenge. This two-legged quarter-final won’t feel exactly the same as a league game, but the stakes are always high when we play a rival. We can take the experience of last time out at Stamford Bridge and at the Emirates, as proof of our quality. But we can’t rest on past performances. It’s vital that we start in the best way possible tonight, on our turf.
Of course, we were able to turn ties around against Real Madrid and Lyon last season, but that is never our plan A.
Tonight needs to be a statement. Every single one of you has helped make Emirates Stadium our home over these past few years and, tonight, it needs to feel like our fortress. We don’t need to remind ourselves of our club’s history in this competition and beyond.
We live it every day. But we want to keep earning our place, again and again. So bring your energy, your passion, your noise and let’s make it one to remember. Enjoy the match, and COYG!
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