Arsenal women’s head coach Renee Slegers owed her side’s 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final to decision-making, Afrosport reports.
Stina Blackstenius’ decisive 74th-minute strike handed the Gunners their second-ever title after winning the first in 2007, while Barca were denied winning it for the third year in a row and fourth overall.
The North London side also put in a solid defensive performance, which prevented the Blaugrana from creating any big chances in the entire game.
“We had to make decisions constantly all over the pitch. The tempo is really high. They’re such a good team, Barcelona,” Slegers said per the club website.
“The decision-making was on such a high level for the players on the pitch, but also the staff working in the background, the analysts up in the stadium. I think the decisions have been so good. I think that was key for us today, to be able to manage the different phases of the game.
“Everyone has played their role. I’m just so happy for all the players. We got what we went for, and everyone has worked so hard. Not only these last two weeks, but across the season to get to this point.”
ONE-NIL TO THE ARSENAL
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— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 25, 2025
Meanwhile, England forward Alessia Russo asserted how confident she was in her team’s abilities to upset the title favourites as underdogs.
“We knew we could [win the tournament]. We believed since the moment our Champions League journey started, we knew that we had the capabilities,” she said.
“We knew that we could be good enough, it was just about going and doing it, and we’ve done it.”
Arsenal finished second in the Women’s Super League, a massive 12 points behind champions Chelsea.
