Leah Williamson reveals Arsenal 'changed game plan' just days before shocking Barcelona to secure Women's Champions League glory in Lisbon
Published 24/05/2025 at 21:12 GMT+1
Arsenal won their second UEFA Champions League and first in 18 years after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Spanish giants Barcelona. Afterwards, Gunners star Alessia Russo admitted that her side were willing to play much of the fixture without the ball if it meant they would get over the line, while Leah Williamson revealed that the days before the final had seen her side tweak their tactics.
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Leah Williamson revealed Arsenal "changed the game plan" just days before their dramatic 1-0 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Women's Champions League final.
Forward Alessia Russo added that The Gunners had been prepared to "suffer" as they took on arguably the best team in women's world football.
The Gunners lifted their second Champions League crown and first in 18 years thanks to Stina Blackstenius' second-half finish.
Barcelona dominated possession at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, but it was not enough to seal the victory, and Russo insisted her side were happy to be out of possession for long periods of the game.
"No [I can't sum it up], we worked so hard and it just feels amazing," she said on TNT Sports.
"We had to suffer a lot, they're a top side.
"We knew coming into this game that we would have to suffer, and it would have to be like that.
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"We knew there would be moments where we would not have the ball, and we would have to be content and happy with not having the ball, knowing that our moment would come.
"We have believed from the moment our Champions League journey started. We knew we had the capabilities, we knew we were good.
"It was just about going and doing it, and we have done it."
Russo played 92 minutes of the clash before being replaced by Lotte Wubben-Moy in stoppage time.
She suggested that the Emirates would host a trophy celebration for Arsenal fans this Monday.
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"They [the fans] are amazing," said Russo. "Literally every game, home, away, hot and cold, it doesn't matter, they are there.
"I think we might be celebrating with them at the Emirates on Monday."
Leah Williamson is one of Arsenal's longest-serving players, having been with the club since 2014.
She believes some of her team-mates put up career-best performances in Lisbon.
"I don't believe it, I am going to cry," said Williamson.
"There is a lot of this team that have been together for a really long time.
"We have been working really, really hard to get to the next level and being able to do it on the biggest stage is amazing. I just think some people had the game of their lives, and that is what you need.
"We did it, I am just so happy."
Barcelona went into the contest as favourites after winning three Champions League crowns since 2020.
Williamson said that her side were surprised by how many chances they had during the match.
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"We changed the game plan a little bit in the week because we wanted to feel more comfortable," she added.
"That paid off, but I think in the first half we had chances and I don't think people believed how good they were.
"We said that in the second half, we just needed one chance, and Stina took it."
The win capped a remarkable season for Arsenal manager Renee Slegers, who replaced Jonas Eidevall following his resignation.
She believes that the side changed their mentality following Eidevall's departure in October.
"There is so much strength in this team," she added.
"They are such good footballers, otherwise you don't get to a European final.
"The biggest shift they have made and what they have shown is the mentality, the willingness to work, to engage, to solve problems, and not only in game but every single training day."
Stream the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Conference League finals live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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