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      Renee Slegers sticks up for Arsenal after fixture clash ‘dilemma’ forces women’s match move from Emirates

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      RENEE SLEGERS has defended Arsenal after the club was forced to shift a Women’s Champions League match from the Emirates. Some Gunners fans were left angered by the December duel with Bayern Munich being moved from the stadium due to a fixture clash.Renee Slegers reckons Arsenal have been presented with tough problem due to the clash of club fixtures at the EmiratesCredit: GettyTheir WSL side’s Women’s Champions League game against Bayern Munich is set to be moved due to a rescheduled men’s Carabao Cup fixtureCredit: GettyYesterday the EFL confirmed a Carabao Cup quarter-final game involving Arsenal’s men’s team would be rescheduled for December 18. However the timing of the midweek game coincides with the club’s WSL stars hosting Bayern in the Champions League. Gunners officials have opted to change the venue for the women’s match with the team forced to make way for their men’s side hosting Crystal Palace. This is despite the club committing to hosting all their women’s side’s home games in Europe at the Emirates.Read More Football Stories The Arsenal Supporters Club expressed their disappointment in what they described as a “change in priorities” for the fixture with the date and venue for having been known for weeks. However, Slegers feels Gunners officials are dealing with “a hard dilemma”. The WSL team other home ground Meadow Park is being considered as a possible alternative venue for match.Interim Arsenal boss Slegers whose team hosts Brighton tomorrow night, said:  “It has been a very hard dilemma for the club with two great teams competing in competitions. Most read in Football”What Arsenal have been doing really well is pushing the growth of women’s football for a very long time. “This is a bump in the road but what Arsenal has been doing is very strong.”The Gunners’ battle with Bayern being shunted from the Emirates comes three weeks after the departure of former Arsenal Women’s gaffer Jonas Eidevall. The Sweden-born head coach resigned from his role on October 15 after the team won just one of their opening four WSL games this term. Since Slegers took charge the Gunners have gone unbeaten in three games across all competitions with two wins and a draw. And she insists hers and the team’s focus is on their football. She added: “With what we are doing, you could say we live in a little box with the team and the staff. “For us, obviously Jonas leaving was a change. “But all the other things of what we are doing are not impacted by those external things. “What we need to do is work on our football and group dynamics. “That’s what we do day-in, day-out and that’s where focus is.” Tomorrow night’s WSL duel between the Gunners and Brighton will be the first between the sides this term. The Seagulls have had an impressive start under head coach Dario Vidosic and are four points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.The team, who have Gunners striker Michelle Agyemang on loan for one season, have lost just one of their first six opening games this term. Arsenal could go a point behind third-placed Brighton if they defeat them in the WSL tomorrowCredit: GettyBrighton, who are third, currently occupy one of the WSL’s top three spots for qualification to compete in the Champions League.  READ MORE SUN STORIESOf if their duel could be a big one in terms of the battle to reach next term’s tournament, Slegers adds: “It’s still early in the season, but I think all games are important. “This is going to be an important game for us.” More

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      Arsenal looking for solutions after fixture clash forces move of Women’s Champions League game from Emirates 

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      ARSENAL have been forced to shift their Women’s Champions League battle with Bayern Munich from the Emirates due to a rescheduled Carabao Cup game. Fixture clash issues have left the Gunners seeking new alternatives for the December 18 match with the German giants. Meadow Park is being looked at as a potential alternative for Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League clash with BayernCredit: AlamyIn May Arsenal announced plans to host all its Women’s Champions League home games at the Emirates, should the team progress beyond the contest qualifiers.However they are facing a venue dilemma. Earlier today the EFL confirmed December 18 as the chosen date for their men’s team’s League Cup quarters battle with Crystal Palace. This means the club have the dilemma of looking for a new venue for their clash with Germany’s top-flight leaders. Read More Football StoriesSunSport understands officials are looking into solutions including the possibility of using Meadow Park as an alternative. The stadium, which is home to National League South side Boreham Wood FC, does not meet Uefa Infrastructure Regulations for Women’s Champions League group games.  However it is thought the extenuating circumstances of their match being moved from the Emirates could lead to use of the ground being considered. One Gunners fan group expressed dismay at the match being moved from the Emirates. Most read in FootballThe Arsenal Women’s Supporters Trust stated they were “really disappointed by the change in priorities for this game”. In a post published on the social media platform X they wrote: “It’s been set in stone for a while. “Now shifting the date affects so many people, especially travelling and international Gooners who have already booked flights and hotels.”Arsenal will face Brighton in the WSL on Friday 8 DecemberCredit: GettyAside from their European fixtures Arsenal are hosting all their WSL home games at the Emirates this term. Last May the Gunners drew the largest ever crowd to a women’s club match in England. A crowd of 60,063 attended their Champions League semi-final second leg defeat of Wolfsburg. More

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      Jonas Eidevall reflects on ‘hurt’ of Arsenal’s three-game winless run following WSL derby loss to Chelsea

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      JONAS EIDEVALL admits Arsenal have had a bad start to their season after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea. The Gunners boss says he aims to focus on the things he ‘can control’ when questioned on whether he feels his job is safe.Jonas Eidevall says Arsenal’s recent results have not helped their “league-winning” ambitions with the team collecting one point from their last WSL gamesCredit: GettyVersatile Blues winger Sandy Baltimore was among Chelsea’s scorers against ArsenalCredit: GettyEidevall has come under pressure from some Arsenal supporters amid three difficult results for his side in the past week. And a couple of defensive blips during set pieces saw his team lose their Saturday afternoon duel with Chelsea, conceding twice during the game’s first 16 minutes. Despite a late Arsenal fightback, goals from Mayra Ramirez and Sandy Baltimore were enough to seal a significant away victory for Sonia Bompastor’s Blues. The result led to the Gunners notching back-to-back defeats across all competitions after Bayern Munich trounced them 5-2 in the Champions League four days ago.Arsenal boss Eidevall said: “You need to do your absolute best in every single game. “But there is no point in hiding away from reality in saying it’s a bad start to the season.“It certainly doesn’t help with league-winning ambitions. “But it doesn’t change the perspective that you need to go game-by-game.”Most read in FootballArsenal have netted just two goals in their last three league fixtures with their last win in the top tier occurring away against Leicester City.And the loss to the Blues took their tally of winless results at the Emirates to three so far this season. On if he feels his job is safe, the Gunners chief added: “I gave absolutely everything in preparation for this game. “You can see the players gave absolutely everything on the pitch. “That’s the part you can control as a coach. That’s what you can control and ask for from the players as well.“I fully understand that people are disappointed when we don’t win football matches and we are also really disappointed. “We are really hurting, I’m hurting, the players are hurting. We want to do that better so I fully understand that in that moment.” Ramirez gave the Blues a fourth-minute lead with Arsenal caught out by a corner-kick that ended with a looped overhead strike from the Colombian dropping in behind goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.Baltimore’s header 12 minutes later made it a tough start for the hosts before they battled back with Caitlin Foord firing in an angled goal near halftime. The hosts upped the ante in attack in the second half with Chelsea spending large parts of the game’s closing stages defending. But they held out to claim maximum points with USA chief and ex-Blues boss Emma Hayes, and Arsenal football director Edu, among the guests watching from the stands. The result led to Bompastor registering her first win in the WSL against the Gunners leapfrogging Manchester City to go top before the Cityzens’ trip to Liverpool on Sunday.  Sonia Bompastor says she wants to encourage her team to hate conceding after they kept a third successive clean sheet in the WSL this termCredit: GettyThe Blues boss said: “I want my team to be able to hate conceding goals and I think this is what they showed with their mentality READ MORE SUN STORIES“When you play a game away and the team is doing good and you can hear your fans cheering for the team and supporting you, it’s so powerful. “I’m so proud of them and so happy for them.” More

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      Lauren Hemp ready for ‘tough tasks ahead’ after Manchester City’s ‘statement’ win against Barcelona

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      LAUREN HEMP insists Manchester City have made a statement with their gritty 2-0 win against Barcelona in the Champions League.  The City ace praised defender Naomi Layzell’s goalscoring display during the defeat of the contest’s winners before their return to WSL action on Sunday.Lauren Hemp and her team-mates will aim to maintain their unbeaten run in the WSL as well as Europe when they visit Liverpool nextCredit: AlamyCity summer signing Naomi Layzell impressed during the team’s 2-0 win against Barcelona playing out of position as a full-backCredit: GettySpain’s top-flight leaders, who Cityzens boss Gareth Taylor described as the best side in the world, fell to their first loss in the tournament’s group stage on Wednesday.A prodded finish from Layzell, her first in a Man City shirt and in the contest, gave Taylor’s side the lead in the first half.And that opener, assisted by Vivianne Miedema’s flicked header, was followed by Khadija Shaw rounding Barca goalkeeper Cata Coll late in the game to slot home to secure the points.The result saw the three-time Champions League winners beaten for the first time ever in the competitions group stage and for the first time this season. Read More Football Stories And Hemp and her team-mates maintained their unbeaten run across all contests before their WSL clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.Hemp said: “Hopefully that puts a statement out on a good start in the group stages.”It was a great win. I thought in the first half, we dominated, possession. “And we created a lot of chances and in the second half, but it looked a bit different.Most read in Football“I felt like we defended so well, put our bodies on the line. “We’ve still got to play them again. It’s going to be a tough task going to their place.”City, who take on Austrian team SKN St Polten in the tournament next Wednesday, handed a group stage debut to centre-back Layzell.The England Under-23s central defender, signed from Bristol City in August for a record fee, played as a full-back in the Joie Stadium duel. The Wednesday night game was the defender’s first time playing in the tournament’s group stage.  It also came almost five years on from Layzell making her debut appearance in the WSL for the Robins against the club she would eventually join this summer. And the player, who went off injured after appearing to her roll her ankle, rewarded boss Taylor’s faith by helping her club shut out some of the most lethal attacking talents in EuropeThese included Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas and Barca striker Ewa Pajor. Hemp added: “She’s done so well since she got here. I’m proud of her.”Not only did she score, but she defended so well, kept the ball most of the time and topped it off with a goal which was amazing and we’re all so happy for her.”Man City will take on Austria’s top-flight leaders SKN St. Polten in their second Champions League group stage game on October 10Credit: AlamyChelsea narrowly defeating Real Madrid in their group stage opener one night before Man City’s victory, made it good week for English clubs going up against two of the best sides in Spain’s top tier.READ MORE SUN STORIESOn her side’s chances of going all the way in the contest, Hemp said: “Every game is going to be different.   “We know there are so many tough tasks ahead of us. We’re just going to take it one game at a time. More

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      Chelsea boss ‘disappointed’ by postponement of Blues’ Women Super League duel with Manchester United

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      SONIA BOMPASTOR says Chelsea were “disappointed” to have their top-flight clash with Manchester United postponed.The Blues boss also reckons the move to put their Women’s Super League duel on hold, was not good.Sonia Bompastor hopes authorities in charge of the WSL will help English clubs competing in the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: GettyChelsea will face Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge in their opening group stage game in this term’s tournamentCredit: AlamyBompastor, whose team hosts Real Madrid in the Champions League tomorrow, was reflecting on the decision that resulted in Chelsea missing out on WSL action at the weekend.Their duel with the Red Devils was scheduled to take place on Sunday – just two days before their group stage opener against Madrid at Stamford Bridge.  The Chelsea chief, 44, said: “Of course, we were disappointed, players and staff. “I think everyone has to understand we were supposed to play.Read More Football Stories “We were in a very, very good team dynamic, and not having the opportunity to play this weekend changed everything in preparation for the game against Real Madrid.”When you have the opportunity to play one game a week, and with this decision being made and postponing the game, now we have been out of competition for 10 days, which is completely different.”If you look at the situation, the decision is not good. “It’s not good for all the English clubs who are in the Champions League competition.”Most read in FootballChelsea’s title win last term saw them automatically reach the tournament’s group stages this season. And last month Arsenal and Manchester City joined them after battling through competition’s qualifiers.On September 29 the Women’s Professional League Limited, who this term took over the running of the WSL, announced the postponement of the Blues’ clash with United.They cited player welfare as the reason given the tight turnaround between domestic and European games for the WSL title-holders.The organisation has come in for criticism concerning its decision, with Uefa having published its Champions League match calendar more than a year ago.And Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall described the handling of the situation as “amateurish”.On if better communication is needed between Uefa and federations and authorities like the WPLL, Bompastor added: “The league is a professional league. “They need to know about the rules. I just said to the league my thoughts on the situation, I think that’s good enough for me. “I don’t want to share more here in a press conference.”For them, it’s good to have our feedback and as I always said to the league, we should be proud to have three English clubs in the Champions League this year.”All the decisions in this league through the season have to be made in order to help the English clubs to compete in the Champions League.”Tomorrow night at Stamford Bridge Chelsea will begin their quest to win a Women’s Champions League for the first time in their history.Their game against Madrid, who are second in Spain’s top-flight and currently level on points with leaders Barcelona, will be Bompastor’s first in Europe as the Blues’ gaffer.The last time Bompastor oversaw side competing in contest at the stadium was when her old club Lyon faced Chelsea in a second-leg semi-final game In March last year they were beaten by the Blues, then managed Emma Hayes, via a dramatic penalty shootout. Bompastor, who has won the tournament as a player and coach, also played for a Lyon team that reached the contest final at Stamford Bridge in 2013. Back then they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to German giants Wolfsburg.The last time Bompastor managed a team in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge was when Lyon played Chelsea in the 2023 semisCredit: GettyThe Blues manager adds: “I played in a Champions League final at Stamford Bridge in 2013 and I’ve been here as a manager of Lyon.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Now I’m really excited because now I’m in the dugout for Chelsea and I’m the Chelsea manager.”I can’t wait to be in that position, enjoy the game and enjoy to be out there with the players and the fans.” More

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      Arsenal Women’s boss Jonas Eidevall slams ‘amateurish’ handling of Chelsea and Man United fixture problem

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      Jonas Eidevall hit out at Women’s Super League chiefs for “having no plan B” for Champions League and WSL fixture congestion.The Arsenal chief criticised the “amateurish” scheduling that led to Chelsea having a top-flight game pencilled in two days before a match Europe.Jonas Eidevall wants authorities in charge of scheduling WSL games to be more proactive around planning for possible fixture clashesCredit: GettyThe Arsenal boss was sharing his thoughts about Chelsea having a league game postponed due to concerns with it being two days before their Champions League fixtureCredit: GettyEidevall was reflecting on scenario that led to the Blues’ home duel with the Red Devils, initially scheduled for Sunday, being shelved with just seven days’ notice.This was down to player welfare worries with the title-holders having a Champions League clash with Real Madrid just two days after their United game. The calling off of the match by Women’s Professional League Limited, who took over running the WSL at the start of the season, has been criticised by fans including the Chelsea Women’s Supporters Group.Earlier this week Man United boss Marc Skinner said the Red Devils had sold all their away tickets for the clash.Read More Football StoriesHowever some fans were also sympathetic to the Blues situation and the club looking out for players’ wellbeing, given the tight turnaround between the games.Eidevall, whose Arsenal team host Everton on the WSL on Sunday, said: “The fans are the backbone to what we’re trying to build.”Getting postponed games as supporters – this time it doesn’t concern Arsenal fans – but it does concern fans of other clubs in the league.”It is simply unacceptable to have people’s money and time being treated in that way beforehand and it’s simply not good enough from the league.Most read in Football”The three English teams (competing in the Champions League) were all scheduled to play (WSL games) on Sunday with each having a 50% chance to play their (European) game on Tuesday. “That has been the information that’s been there for months.”That we have a lead organisation that doesn’t act proactively on these matters – it’s damaging for the fans.”The problem is the proactiveness about what you do and to have a plan for when different scenarios come about. “There was a risk or chance to be playing on Tuesday, which would rule out the possibility to play your game on Sunday.”Now, if you have that new planning scenario, of course now you need to have a plan B. What happens if you play on Tuesday? “And if you don’t have a clear answer to that, you have a problem.”Last Sunday in their game postponement statement, the WPLL said they wished to put “player welfare first” with the WSL leaders playing a Champions League game next Tuesday.Last Saturday Uefa confirmed the date for the Blues’ opening group stage game (against Real Madrid) would be Tuesday 8 October.Amid concern over players having to contest two matches in 48 hours, Chelsea and the WPLL asked Uefa if the fixture could be pushed back.The approach to Champion’s League football and the proactiveness with the respect to the supporters has to change.Jonas EidevallHowever the European football authority explained its calendar for the contest had been published more than a year ago.Eidevall added: “Do the league want the English club teams to be successful at European level?”I would hope the answer to that is ‘yes’, but the action shows differently. “It shows that this is not one of their priorities to have the club teams to be successful.”That is very negative for English women’s club football because it’s very important that this is the first time in the group stage that three teams reach the group stage. “That should be something that we celebrate.”Because of this amateurish behaviour – with not having a proactive plan and taking away a game like Chelsea’s and postponing that – it now puts us in a situation where we play Sunday.“Then we play Wednesday away against Bayern Munich. “They do not play (this) Sunday because they of course play (on) Saturday because they have a league organisation that sees the value of getting their top teams in better positions in the Champions League. “Then we return to playing Saturday against Chelsea at the Emirates and we have considerably less preparations than the opponents.”We’ll be handling this sporting disadvantage in two huge games for us.”But we’re not a team that’s going to lie down and give up just because situations are tough.“We’re going to dig deeper than we have ever done before and we’re going to try and fuel a lot of performances from that. READ MORE SUN STORIESArsenal will take on Bayern Munich away in the Champions League three days after their WSL home game against EvertonCredit: Getty”But what needs to change?”I think the approach to Champion’s League football, and the proactiveness with the respect to the supporters, this has to change.”It’s not good enough to blame it on Uefa because everyone across Europe has had the same information for so long. “The only one that hasn’t acted on that information is the WSL.” More

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      Manuela Zinsberger urges Arsenal to overcome ‘hard hit’ in Women’s Champions League battle with BK Hacken

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      MANUELA ZINSBERGER wants Arsenal to avoid dwelling on past Champions League results ahead of their decisive push for a group stage spot. However the Gunners will be without Leah Williamson with the defender ruled out of their clash with BK Hacken tomorrow. Manuela Zinsberger says Arsenal’s expectation is to get beyond the Women’s Champions League group stageCredit: GettyArsenal are aiming to beat BK Hacken in their decisive second round qualifier clashCredit: GettyThe England skipper, 27, was placed in concussion protocol before her club’s WSL season-opening draw with City on Sunday.Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall explained she sustained concussion during an incident in training.The head coach said: “I don’t have a timeframe on Leah’s injury at the moment. It’s guided by our medical team.””When I have something more concrete to communicate, I will do that.”Read More Football StoriesArsenal host Swedish outfit Hacken at Meadow Park tomorrow evening in a second-leg clash in the Women’s Champions League second round qualifiers.Eidevall’s players require a win by two goals or more in order to reach the contest’s group stage, with their rivals having a 1-0 first-leg win advantage. And much is riding on the result with club chiefs planning to host the team’s remaining duels in the contest at the Emirates this season.Arsenal shot stopper Zinsberger, 28, said: “The Champions League should be motivation enough no matter what happened last season.Most read in Football”I’m not a fan of talking about the past. “I’m more a fan of looking forward and our motivation is as high as last season – I would say even higher.”Our expectation is (reaching) the group stage or (going) even further, but taking it step-by-step.”The motivation is high to win the game and turn it around and finally get to the group stages.”Zinsberger, who made 18 top-flight appearances last term, was part of the Arsenal team beaten on penalties by Paris FC in the Champions League qualifying stage last September.  And she hopes to help her side see off Hacken in their battle for a group stage spot following the Gunners’ loss last Wednesday.The Austria No1 added: “It’s important to learn (from that) and it was definitely a hard hit for us.”We all hadn’t expected that one, but it definitely hit us the way it shouldn’t, but it was a big learning that you have to take every chance as it would be your last.”With Hacken, we haven’t underestimated them, we’ve seen how good they are.”But I don’t want to talk about them, for us we’ve got to perform and we have to be at our best.”Tomorrow’s game comes three days before Jonas Eidevall’s side’s league trip to Leicester, having nabbed a point against Manchester City in their season opener. With club chiefs committing to making the Emirates their main home for WSL and European fixtures this term, Eidevall is eager to see them progress.  The Arsenal boss adds: “It’s that pressure we put on ourselves that we need to get into the group stage, and that’s what we should do.”Lotte Wubben-Moy is expected to start alongside Laia Codina in Arsenal’s central defenceCredit: GettyTomorrow’s match is likely to see Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina in central defence in the absence of Williamson.READ MORE SUN STORIESEidevall said: “Leah is a fantastic player and she would be missed by any team, but the strength of our squad is we have players like Manuela. “We have Lotte and Codi (Codina) playing phenomenally well together.” More

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      Jonas Eidevall backs Arsenal to do the business in Champions League qualifier battle with BK Hacken

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      JONAS EIDEVALL hopes Arsenal can bask in the pressure of battling to keep their Women’s Champions League dream alive.And the Gunners gaffer was tight-lipped on whether Rosa Kafaji and Stina Blackstenius will face their old club BK Hacken tonight.Rosa Kafaji could be line to start for Arsenal against BK Hacken in the first leg of their Champions League second round qualifierCredit: EPAThe Gunners are hoping for a repeat of the ruthless efficiency that saw them beat Rangers in the first roundCredit: APTomorrow in Sweden Arsenal play the first of three high stakes games in nine days. These include a WSL season-opener against Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday.First priority is collecting a victory in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier second-round and avoiding the shock exit they suffered in this round last year.Eidevall said: “Of course, everyone feels a little bit of pressure and for me that’s not a negative thing, it’s positive and a necessity for high performance.Read More Football Stories “This is really business time for us where we put everyone’s competence into the hot seat.”We have prepped for this period because we knew this was going to be busy. “It’s exciting to be here and close to going into the group stage of the Champions League.”It’s exciting to go to the Emirates to play Manchester City this weekend, but we need to keep our focus on the day-by-day activity. Most read in Football”We’re really hungry and I expect Hacken to be too.”Tomorrow’s 6:00pm duel at the Bravina Arena in Gothenburg could see Sweden duo Kafaji and Blackstenius return to haunt their former side.Should Kafaji feature, it would be her first appearance for against her old club since sealing a permanent move to Eidevall’s side for a reported fee between £200,000 and £250,000.The Sweden-born head coach added: “There is always some emotion and all of us who are from Sweden think it’s nice to come here and to be able show the team this country.”And it’s a little bit special for Stina and Rosa having played for Hacken before. “There’s a lot of ingredients for an exciting game between two teams who like to be in possession.”Elsewhere Arsenal’s WSL rivals Man City will be looking to get their push for a Champions League group stage place off to flier.They face visit Paris FC who finished third in France’s top-flight last term and are due to play Guincamp in their Division One Feminine opener.And the match could see ex-Gunners ace Vivianne Miedema make her first appearance for the Cityzens in Europe since joining club as a free agent inLast season the French side pulled off two major Champions Leagues shocks – knocking Arsenal and two-time contest winners Wolfsburg out of the tournamentYesterday Man City boss Gareth Taylor said: “They’re a dangerous opponent and will not make it easy. Vivianne Miedema could be in line to feature for Man City when they play Paris FC in the Champions League second qualifiersCredit: Getty”They’re a tough opponent for us but actually the signs from our team in pre-season has been really good.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Regardless of who we drew, this is a really tough stage of the competition.”I’ve said previously, that in this round, you will probably face tougher games than you would in the group stages in the league format.” More