'Proud' Renee Slegers and Alessia Russo hail Arsenal 'resilience' in reaching UEFA Women's Champions League final v Barcelona
Published 23/05/2025 at 22:36 GMT+1
Renee Slegers recounted her hard graft and determination to reach the UEFA Women's Champions League final. The Dutchwoman has put in plenty of hard graft to reach the biggest game in women's European club football, as her side takes on three-time winners Barcelona in Lisbon on Saturday. Meanwhile, Alessia Russo spoke about the team's character and resilience after overcoming a series of setbacks.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Renee Slegers highlighted her incredible personal journey in reaching the UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona on Saturday – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Slegers was appointed permanent Arsenal manager in January 2025 after initially taking over from Jonas Eidevall on an interim basis in October 2024.
She is now one victory away from leading The Gunners to a second Women’s Champions League title, after the club first won the competition in 2007.
She told TNT Sports: "I think everyone in life probably fights in their way to develop as a person, and choosing your direction, your pathway in life.
"That's what I've done as well. It's not so much that I've been fighting for a coaching role, I've been fighting for my place in this world and fighting to get the best out of myself.
"There are a lot of things that you go through in life, and it's not only in my role as a coach, it's lots of different things.
"But I'm really happy because I just spoke to Swedish media, and I spent a lot of years as a coach in Sweden [with Rosengard] and I've been through so many things over there, as a person and as a coach.
"There were really hard things, losses, even relegation. I've been part of big successes, won the league and cups. There have been so many things that I've been through and what I've learned.
"I still feel very young, but I feel like I've got a good bag of experience, which gets me to this point now as a person.
"I’m getting to the Champions League final as a person where I can try to get the best out of myself, get the best out of others, and be really calm in pressure moments."
The Dutch coach spoke in more detail about the preparations for Saturday’s match in Lisbon, and highlighted the importance of using the players’ emotions in the right way.
"We've had two good weeks with the players, and with the staff," she continued.
"I’m very proud, not only for the people here right now, the players and staff, but also the work that's been done over a long time to get Arsenal to this point.
"Emotions are very powerful if you regulate them, you keep them under control and you use them in a positive way.
"So that's what we're trying to achieve. It's going to be a big occasion; it's a big moment for all the players.
"There are not many players, who in their careers get to play a Champions League final, so it'll be a very big moment."
Russo highlights Arsenal’s ‘resilience and mentality’
Alessia Russo hailed Arsenal’s "resilience and mentality" after reaching the European final.
The Gunners overcame first-leg deficits in the quarter-finals and semi-finals against Real Madrid and Lyon, respectively, to make the final, and Russo highlighted the determination within the squad to achieve European glory.
She told TNT Sports: "It's been a journey. I feel fortunate to be here with Arsenal, a club I love playing for, and a club where we've worked so hard.
"Looking at this season as a whole, our Champions League journey has been something that we're really proud of and has been really special.
"We've not won what we'd like to domestically this year, but we want to do everything as players, staff and the whole squad, to win the trophy.
"I think the biggest [quality] one for us is resilience and mentality that we're never beaten. You've seen that with the games against Lyon and Real Madrid, especially Lyon.
"I don't think anybody would've counted on us to go out over there to their home stadium and beat them in the way we did, away.
"I think resilience and that mentality has shone through in our Champions League campaign this year, and I know that our team have super high standards and are super demanding of each other.
"I think that's what brings the best out of us, and we've seen that this season."
The England forward believes those comebacks against Real Madrid and Lyon can inspire belief that they can win the biggest prize in European club football.
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"You have to use it as confidence. It's confidence and evidence that we have done it," Russo added.
It's using it as confidence, but we also know Barcelona are a top side, and we're well aware of how they perform at these top stages, so I think it's about using it in the right way.
"It's a chance to win a trophy for this club and I think any chance you get that, feels great as a player.
"You have an opportunity to end the game with one of the biggest prizes in club football, and I feel grateful to be a part of that.
"So, it feels really special. I know the girls are looking at it in that way, and we're ready to go out there and compete."
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