Women’s Champions League

ALESSIA RUSSO is ready to suffer against Barcelona if this leads to Arsenal lifting Europe’s biggest club prize once more.The chance of playing in Champions League final is a dream the Gunners striker has carried since childhood. Alessia Russo and her team-mates face huge Champions League final test against BarcelonaCredit: GettyThe Gunners receives dozens of messages from well-wishers and fans ahead of their bid to help the club win the contest for a second-timeCredit: GettyBarcelona have been in imperious form in Europe this term and scored eight goals across two games during their semi-final tie against ChelseaCredit: AFPAn ambition she “would have bitten off an arm” to fulfil.The dream Russo, 26, had during her younger years of featuring in a Champions League final is just hours away from coming true.It will be shared with a club who are to date the only English side to have won the women’s contest with their triumph over Swedish outfit Umea 18 years ago. This striker said: “As a little kid, the idea of competing in the Champions League, let alone playing in the final, is something I would have bit an arm off to get. Read More Football Stories “Now it’s coming around, it feels special and we’re just trying to enjoy the build-up and the moment.”I know that (so much) work has been done (by the players and the club) for a long time “Arsenal have been significant in terms of women’s clubs from England in the Champions League and making history in that competition.”We know what we’re coming up against with Barcelona. Their history speaks for itself.”Most read in FootballBarcelona have come a long way since their Champions League debut back in October 20212A match that ended with their 4-0 group stage loss to an Arsenal team then managed by English gaffer Laura HarveyAt 5:00pm today at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, a massive challenge faces Russo, her team-mates and their Dutch coach Renee Slegers.Arsenal hope to become the first team to topple Barcelona in the contest’s decider since Lyon’s triumph three years agoThe ten-time top-flight champs of Spain have won three of the last four finalsTheir journey to this one included a semi-final dismantling of Chelsea with an 8-2 aggregate win. Russo added: “They’ve been there and done it in almost everything. “Knowing that we’re coming up against an absolute world-class team, we have to be at our best, switched on, humble and ready to go”I feel if we weren’t, then we wouldn’t be in the final in the first place.”                                                              The 50,095 capacity ground they will play in, home of Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, has hosted some memorable games in the past.Encounters include Sporting’s 3-1 defeat of Manchester United in August 2003 in the stadium’s inaugural fixture.A friendly in which the trickery of a then 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo caught the eye of ex-Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson. A game that proved pivotal in influencing the Scotman’s decision to sign the forward who would go on to become the men’s Champions League’s all-time top scorer. Today Russo wants to create some pivotal moments of her own just as she did during Arsenal’s semis knockout of Lyon last month. “It’s going to be tough and we’re going to have to suffer in moments. Alessia Russo She scored her side’s third goal last as they pulled off a gutsy, second-leg fightback with the tournament’s record winners trounced 4-1 after their 2-1And the striker, who netted seven goals in ten Champions League appearances, this term is willing to suffer to secure the win. Russo added: “We want to leave everything on the pitch.”It’s going to be tough and we’re going to have to suffer in moments. “In games like this you just have to leave absolutely everything out there. I know that sounds cliché but it’s true.”The more you’re playing in these games and dealing with the pressures, the highs and the lows of it all can only help you further down the line.”We (my team-mates and me) talked about the biggest games in our careers.””This is definitely one of them. It’s massive for us all and to be doing it with Arsenal feels really special.”The last clash between the Gunners and their opponents, ended in a heavy 4-0 group stage loss for the London side in December 2021Today the Gunners have the bonus of an ex-Barca star Mariona Caldentey, 29, within their ranks. The Champions League-winning experience of the Spain playmaker, who has lifted the trophy three-times in the past four years, will be crucial. Russo said: “Mariona has got a crazy football brain and I’m sure she’s got some things up her sleeve. “It’s nice to have input from her, not only just because she’s played for Barcelona, but because she’s won the Champions League and the World Cup.”She knows how to win in these important moments.”Arsenal’s last foray in a Champions League final 18 years ago resulted in a triumph over Umea after a two-match tie. The decisive second leg for the team, then managed by former club kitman Vic Akers, ended as a 1-0 win at Boreham Wood with full-back Alex Scott’s strike sealing the victory.It’s a game Russo and her pals have been watching in the run-up to today’s match. The striker adds: “We were watching the highlights a couple of weeks ago of the second leg at Boreham Wood. “It’s crazy to think that was the last time an English club won the Champions League. “I was at an Adidas event with Rachel Yankey (who played in the match) and she reflected on the game. Russo reckons Mariona Caldentey’s experience of winnning the Champions League three times will be important for ArsenalCredit: PA“She recalled (the atmosphere) at Boreham Wood being electric. Read More on The Sun”Rachel said the players wanted to use the crowd massively because our fans are incredible.”I know we’ll have an amazing support out in Lisbon.” More

SONIA BOMPASTOR insists Chelsea “will never give up” as they aim to bounce back from their disappointing Champions League defeat. And the Blues head coach is uncertain whether striker Sam Kerr will return to action before the end of this season.  Sonia Bompastor wants her players to focus on the future with the team returning to WSL action following a Champions League semis first leg loss to BarcelonaCredit: GettyCatarina Macario is among the players likely to be in action for Chelsea when they host Crystal Palace at KingsmeadowCredit: GettyThe Blues hope to register win ahead of their Stamford Bridge duel with Barcelona in the second leg of Champions League last four tieCredit: AlamyThe WSL leaders host Crystal Palace on Wednesday in their first top-flight clash following their 4-1 Champions League semis first leg loss on Sunday. A tough result that left their quadruple hopes and target of winning the contest this season hanging by a thread. While they hope to pull off a huge comeback in their European tie, Chelsea are also focused on claiming an eighth WSL title and sixth FA Cup.  Bullish Blues chief Bompastor, 44, whose team have lost just twice so far this term, said: “It’s always tough to lose especially when you are Chelsea as it’s something you don’t experience a lot.  Read More Football Stories”I will never give up and my players will never give up. This is our mentality. We want to achieve a lot this season. “We have three more competitions to play in, hopefully, until the last moment in the season, but everyone is ready for that.”I have depth in my squad. So every player is ready to compete in every competition, every game we have to play.”While Chelsea do have depth two influential players currently out of action are forward Lauren James and striker Sam Kerr. Most read in FootballThe creative flair and attacking threat James brings was missed by her side during their clash with Barcelona.And her club pal Kerr is continuing her recovery from a knee ligament tear she suffered during a winter training camp in January 2024. When asked about the potential of a Kerr comeback before this season ends, Bompastor added: “I’m not in a position to give any time frame on her return.”I know she won’t be involved in the game this weekend.”After tomorrow’s clash the WSL leaders host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and hope to overcome a three-goal deficit in the decisive leg of their Champions League tie. In addition to being a confidence boost, a defeat of the bottom-placed Eagles would also restore Chelsea’s six-point lead at the summit. Rivals Arsenal are currently second and three points. Bompastor added: “Monday was a difficult day for everyone – staff and players. “But I told my players now we need to look at the future. Palace, who are bottom of the WSL and seven points off Aston Villa, have won just two of their 18 league games so far this termCredit: Alamy”We want to go back to top of the table six and points ahead of Arsenal, that’s the main focus.Read More on The Sun”The only thing we can control now is the future. “We need to show a reaction in this game, that’s the main thing and the most important thing.” More

RENEE SLEGERS vows Arsenal will use memories of their past trouncing of Lyon to keep their Champions League final hopes alive. Her Gunners fell to a narrow 2-1 loss on Saturday afternoon after Melchie Dumornay’s goal thwarted the chance of a draw.Kadidiatou Diani gave Lyon a 17th-minute lead at the Emirates after her strike was found to be onside following a VAR checkCredit: GettyArsenal won a second-half penalty after Lyon keeper Christiane Endler was adjudged to have fouled Leah Williamson whilst attempting to punch the ball awayCredit: AlamyMariona Caldentey levelled the match with her spot-kick after sending Endler the wrong way with 12 minutes of normal time remainingCredit: AlamyBut Dumornay, pictured with celebrating with Lyon skipper Wendi Renard, restored her side’s lead in the 82nd minuteCredit: GettyThe visitors’ first-leg semis triumph ensured ex-Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro made his return to the Emirates a victorious one.The Gunners now face the challenge having to stun their rivals on the road with the French giants carrying a one-goal advantage. And they hope to win their second leg battle by at least two goals with a spot battling Barcelona or Chelsea in the final at stake.The last time the North London side appeared in the contest’s decider was in 2007 when they lifted the trophy after beating Umea in a two-legged tie. Read More Football StoriesArsenal gaffer Slegers, whose team visit Lyon next Sunday, said: “We’re not happy with the result, because we did really well getting the equaliser and that was the least we wanted. “And after that goal we felt like we could potentially score another. “As the game turned out, especially in the second half, the draw or  the win was what we were going for.”The last time Arsenal took on Lyon away in the Champions League was during the group stage of the contest almost three years ago. Most read in FootballBack in October 2022 they demolished the French giants 5-1 with Beth Mead and Caitlin Foord both netting twice with Frida Maanum also on the scoresheet. However the Lyon team they will battle in the second leg next Sunday will be quite different to the side they faced back then. Aside from Dumornay their attacking options currently includes Kadidiatou Diani and Tabitha Chawinga with the former among the scorers in today’s game. However, Slegers is bullish about her side’s chances of turning things around.The Gunners head coach adds: “Arsenal has done it before against Lyon away and has won by big numbers.”It’s going to be on a pitch, 11 versus 11, and we have all the opportunities to win that game next Sunday.”With Real Madrid getting dispatched in Europe by Arsenal’s women’s and men’s sides, the hosts came into this game full of confidence. However it was Lyon who struck first snatching a 17th-minute lead through Diani’s bottom-corner strike, following a fairly balanced opening quarter Her opener was initially disallowed before a VAR check showed she had been played onside with Arsenal’s defence caught out by her pace and one long ball forward. Later Dumornay hit the crossbar with a chipped effort after spotting keeper Manuela Zinsberger off her line. And there was a scary moment for the hosts when skipper Leah Williamson dropped to the turf in pain before getting up moments later after getting caught on the shin by the Lyon forward.And the hosts almost levelled proceedings with an effort from Alessia Russo striking the crossbarArsenal cranked up the intensity of their attack in the second-half. This eventually paid off when they won a pen after a VAR check found goalkeeper Christiane Endler had struck Williamson while trying to punch the ball away. Mariona Caldentey converted for hosts in the 78th minute. But hopes of a point were wrecked by Dumornay’s ruthless 82nd-minute striking flying past Gunners keeper Manuela Zinsberger after a rapid counter.Despite Arsenal’s loss Montemurro praised how far the team had come since time in charge. And the Lyon boss, whose players are so far still unbeaten in this term’s contest, admits his side suffered before sealing their first-leg victory. Montemurro said: “I’m not sure there are many people that come to this iconic stadium against a very good team and expect to not suffer a little bit. “And we suffered, but it balanced itself out in the end.Lyon boss Joe Montemurro reckons the pressure may be off Arsenal in the second leg despite his side’s one-goal advantageCredit: Getty”It’s not over yet. This thing is not over and maybe the pressure has been taken off Arsenal. Read More on The Sun”They’re 2-1 down, they’re coming to Lyon and whatever happens, happens. “But it’s a dangerous scenario and they’re a good team.” More

RENEE SLEGERS urged Arsenal to go for the jugular in the first round of their battle with Lyon for a Women’s Champions League final spot. The Gunners will face one of their biggest tests this term when they face the contest’s record winners at the Emirates on Saturday. Renee Slegers believes Arsenal have enough quality to see off the threat posed by LyonCredit: GettyAlessia Russo is expected to return to action when Arsenal face the French giants following an injury she sustained on England dutyCredit: GettyForward Chloe Kelly will also be available for the Gunners having worked her way back to fitness following a foot injuryCredit: PAAnd they have been given a fitness boost with Alessia Russo’s and Chloe Kelly’s return from injury. However goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is still sidelined, with the Netherlands stopper set to miss encoubter.    The lunchtime clash will see Slegers’ players push for a first-leg semis victory. A result that would put them one win or draw away from reaching the contest’s decider for the first time since 2007. Read More Football Stories It was during that year, under former boss Vic Akers, the Gunners made history becoming the first English side to lift the trophy. Arsenal boss Slegers, 36, said: “We want to go for it and take the opportunity by the throat.”There will be an enormous crowd so we’re going to go from the start because we enjoy playing at the Emirates. “We know this is our chance and I think 40,000 tickets have been soldMost read in Football“We’re at one of the final stages of the Champions League. It’s a huge moment.”A 5-1 drubbing of Leicester on Tuesday was Arsenal’s last result at the Emirates. The win led to them cutting Chelsea’s lead at the WSL’s summit to three points. However Lyon will be a far different proposition to the Foxes, with the latter currently having the worst away record in the WSL this term. The French giants, currently managed by ex-Gunners boss Joe Montemurro, have won the trophy eight times since 2011. The most recent of those triumphs came almost three years ago when they beat current holders Barcelona 3-1 under former boss Sonia BompastorUnder the head coach, who now manages Chelsea, they also reached last season’s final where they fell to a 2-0 loss to Spain’s reigning champions. This term Lyon have scored 24 times in the tournament whilst conceding just twice in the tournament. Despite the visitors’ formidable Champions League form, Slegers reckons Arsenal has the quality to see off the European heavyweights. She adds: “I have huge respect for their history and what they have been doing and producing in the Champions League “But us playing at the Emirates, and the hunger and the belief that we have at the moment, we’re going to go and play our game to the best we can.”Even though we have huge respect for their qualities and threats, we believe we can do something.”Among the Gunners aces certain to be starting later is versatile forward Mariona Caldentey. The Spain superstar, 29, knows all about helping a club make Champions League history having won it three-times with her old side Barcelona. And Caldentey reckons Arsenal have the hunger they need to end their 18-year wait to become queens of Europe once again. Joe Montemurro’s Lyon are currently top of the table in France’s top tier and have conceded just two goals in eight Champions League games this termCredit: AlamyShe said: “We want to win titles and the Champions League is a big one. “We are still a bit far away right now, it’s three games for that.Read More on The Sun”But everyone is hungry for it so it’s a mentality we need to keep. We are here because we deserve it.”Arsenal vs Lyon in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semi-finals can be watched live from 12:30pm on April 19 on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ More

PHALLON TULLIS-JOYCE does not “half-a**” anything – whether it is football or adding to her extensive knowledge of marine biology. This approach has served the clever, quick-witted Manchester United goalkeeper well on and off the pitch. Phallon Tullis-Joyce and her Manchester United team-mates take on Man City for a place in this year’s Women’s FA Cup finalCredit: GettyThe Red Devils stopper currently has the highest number of clean sheets in the WSL this term and says her team-mates have played a big part in thisCredit: ReutersOn the international stage Tullis-Joyce kept a cleansheet for Emma Hayes’ USA team when they beat Brazil 1-0 in a friendly this monthCredit: GettyThe Man United stopper hopes to start in more games for the United States following senior international debut this monthCredit: GettyGrowing up on Long Island, New York, in the United States, there was nothing half-arsed about the graft Tullis-Joyce, 28, put in to become one of her country’s most talented shot stoppers. The Red Devils ace has fond memories of hurdling waste bins as part of training. An activity practiced under the watchful eye of goalkeeping expert Kurt Kelley, head coach of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Programme.Training with Kelley from the age of 12, with encouragement from her mother Patricia, instilled a work ethic that helped an athlete, who also trained in basketball, with her rise to the top.Read More Football StoriesThere is no half-arsing in the Tullis-Joyce dictionary. That’s very much a premise of my mother as well.Phallon Tullis-Joyce Tullis-Joyce, whose club side face Manchester City at 3:00pm today in the Women’s FA Cup semis, said: “I wasn’t too bad at basketball “But with goalkeeping, there’s a special feeling when it comes to flying through the air. That’s why that propelled me to stay in soccer. “I started training with Kurt right from the start when I was 12-years-old. “At that time, I wasn’t making it into progressive teams, like the regional team or I wasn’t really progressing too much.Most read in Football”And Kurt was like, ‘You know what, that’s fair. You have a lot of things you need to work on’. “I was so hurt but he just was able to give me that honest feedback.”He was the one that was having me jump over trash cans and just on the brink of puking in sessions. “He really instilled the work ethic of like, ‘if you want this, you got to go for it. There is no half-arsing this’. “That’s very much a premise of my mother as well. There is no half-arsing in the Tullis-Joyce dictionary.”Kurt has a facility called KK Athletics Indoor Sports. He would lay out different flags and different trash cans.”The other goalkeepers there would lie in an army crawl position and I would have to hop over them for the save. “It definitely taught me to be fearless. “I’ve had plenty of people in my youth who would say, ‘keep your standards, always keep your standards’. I’m very appreciative of those people.”My mum has been such a massive proponent of my (football) career and just who I am especially when I’m speaking of academics. “She put that on a pedestal and rightfully so. You get your education first and then everything else is a bonus.” Tullis-Joyce describes her football journey from then to now as a “lucky one”. A journey that involved playing for Miami Hurricanes in the USA’s college football system while studying for bachelor and masters degrees in marine biology subjects at the University of Miami. It was at the university that Tullis-Joyce continued to hone the skills that have led her second USA international call-up. After graduation came an April 2019 move to then second tier French side Reims, helping them win promotion to France’s top-flight for the 2019-20 season. Back then the team was managed by Amandine Miquel, who now coaches Leicester City and sees Tullis-Joyce as one of the best goalkeepers in the WSL.    In April 2021 the American joined US side Seattle Reign, where she was shortlisted for an NWSL shot stopper of the year prize, before joining Man United in September 2023.  Following Mary Earps’s departure for Paris Saint-Germain last July, Tullis-Joyce  established herself as the Red Devils’ first choice keeper.  This term she currently tops the WSL’s clean sheet chart  with 12 shutouts in 18 top-flight games. She adds:  “I’ve learned so much this season. “I’m happy to be in this position and grateful for my defenders and the entire team defending in front of me”They all are a part of that race for the (WSL’s) Golden Gloves.”I’ve learned so much this season and there’s just so much to gain out of this, especially with my goalkeeper coach and goalkeeper union around me.”Red Devils boss Marc Skinner said: “Phallon is an incredibly intelligent woman. “That’s really important because she’s very aware of what’s needed to be Man United’s number one. “But she will be the first to say the defending team ahead of her has helped that as well.”Away from the pitch, studying the ocean is something that has always fascinated Tullis-Joyce.It was always part of my plan to be a marine biologist. I love scuba diving and I don’t just love the ocean. I love the environment in general.Phallon Tullis-JoyceThe USA shot stopper has even given a talk to Year 7 school pupils on the topic of marine biology as part of Man United’s Eco Reds programme.       She adds: “They invited me to come talk to the children about the ocean. “Students take part in different lessons revolving around the environment and sustainability.”I just try to really make it fun for them because at that age, I really just want them to think that it’s cool.”It was always part of my plan to be a marine biologist. I love scuba diving.”It’s just such a serene experience where all you’re doing is breathing and looking at cool animals that have adapted to a really hard environment. Tullis-Joyce, who has degrees in marine biology subjects, is an advocate for protecting the environment and marine life”I don’t just love the ocean. I love the environment in general.”Even seeing little frog eyes pop up and see the reflection of their eyes on the surface of the water and learning now for the first time at 28, the difference between frog spawn and toad spawn. “It’s just so cool. Toad spawn might as well be like udon noodles, whereas frog spawn is like boba. “I’ve just been obsessed with telling my teammates.”This month has seen Tullis-Joyce make her first senior appearance for the USA’s women’s team keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 friendly win against Brazil. Today will see her face the challenge of attempting to help holders United reach a second successive FA Cup final for the first time in their history. Her side, who also hope to seal a top three finish for Champions League qualification, will face West Ham, Chelsea and Man City in their final WSL games this term. As part of her goalkeeping development Tullis-Joyce regularly uses a smart reaction training tool known as BlazePod. It helps shot stoppers, including keepers playing at an elite level, to integrate cognitive fitness into their practice routines. And BlazePod does this by using pads with lighting to test goalkeepers’ reaction speeds. The programme is also used by sports people outside of football including Formula One drivers. Tullis-Joyce adds: “It’s crazy how simple they are (to use), but how much you can do with them.”For me, it’s more just that preparation, even for game days to get used to bright lights in a stadium. “It’s just something that’s constant that I can use so I can always sharpen up my reaction time really quickly.Tullis-Joyce uses a smart reaction practice tool known as BlazePods to help with her reflex training”With Manchester United I would say the biggest impact BlazePods has had for me is my preparation for training.Read More on The Sun”I use them every single day and for game days as well to help with practice for any type of handling and my footwork and peripheral vision. “It really opens up my senses a bit to be ready for the day.” More