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      Daphne van Domselaar says Arsenal ‘are on a roll’ under Renee Slegers as they aim to extend unbeaten run 

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      DAPHNE VAN DOMSELAAR relishes putting her goalkeeping talents to the test. The upbeat Arsenal star, 24, and her club pals have come through some testing moments in the WSL and Champions League this season. So far this season Daphne van Domselaar currently has the second highest number of clean sheets (six) in the WSLCredit: GettyManuela Zinsberger, Van Domselaar and their team-mates hope Arsenal’s form will lead to trophy wins under Renee SlegersCredit: GettyVan Domselaar and her Gunners pals have conceded just five goals in their past 11 games across competitionsCredit: GettySome mixed results — which included three winless matches at the Emirates — were followed by ex-Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall departing last October. Those early-season hurdles have since been overcome by the resurgent Gunners, who are third and seven points off leaders Chelsea. Following their clash with Crystal Palace this afternoon an away duel with the Blues awaits them next Sunday. In the past three months under their now permanent head coach Renee Slegers, the WSL giants have been on an unbeaten run of ten wins and one draw in the top flight and Europe. Read More Football StoriesMatches in which Van Domselaar, who this term has made 12 WSL and Women’s Champions League appearances, has started in goal. The Dutch international, who began her senior career at FC Twente in 2017, said: “Earlier this season we didn’t feel we were playing as well as we can. “After the change in October, we have a common goal. We’re on a roll. “We kept on winning and have grown in every single game as a team and as individuals. Most read in Football”That’s been great and everyone is on the same page. “Especially from our home win against Valerenga (in the Champions League). “In that moment we got that extra percentage and fire that brought through this streak of winning.” That togetherness and clearness Renee provides gives us more confidence individually as players but also as a team.Daphne van Domselaar A breath of fresh air is how Arsenal’s England forward Beth Mead described Slegers, who has been in charge since that win against Valerenga and earned the respect of fans.It’s a view shared by Van Domselaar who also sees similarities between the Arsenal boss and her Dutch compatriot the Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman.Van Domselaar adds: “Renee is a really calm coach to have on the sidelines. “That togetherness and that clearness she provides gives us more confidence individually as players but also as a team. “When I speak to the girls here at Arsenal who play for England, they’re really happy with Sarina and her approach in being direct, straightforward and providing clarity. “That’s also what Renee does. She’s really clear and gives us good guidance around things to work on. “That’s something they have in common.”Renee has good staff around her who support her and they are really doing it together.”With four trophies including the WSL title up for grabs, Arsenal hope to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions when they host Palace at 2pm today. And then at Stamford Bridge next Sunday against title holders Chelsea. A match that could see Van Domselaar face her friend and national team-mate Wieke Kaptein.The midfielder, 19, has impressed for the Blues this term in her seven WSL appearances following a one-season loan spell at her former club Twente. The Gunners stopper, who is an avid photographer in her spare time, added: “It’s hard to see Wieke as a Chelsea player. “She’s new to the club and there’s a rivalry but we’ve been friends for longer — I played with her for about four years at Twente. “I just see Wieke as Wieke and it’s great to see her get minutes — but I also want to win against her.Victory against Palace at Meadow Park today would push Arsenal up to second above Manchester City before the Cityzens’ clash with Man United at the Etihad tonight. The matches are two of three derby duels taking place today with West Ham hosting Chelsea. Of course you want to win every cup and competition. Let’s see what the next few months will bringDaphne van DomselaarOf the Gunners derby clash today, Van Domselaar said: “Crystal Palace will be a hard team to play against. “We need to win that and every game.”We’ll give our best against them and from there we’ll go and see what will be at Chelsea. “We’ll do everything to be our best in that moment.”With Arsenal unbeaten under Slegers, Gunners fans will be dreaming of a first title win since 2019.Van Domselaar adds: “Hopefully we can win prizes. That’s what we want to do and what we work for every day”We want to win the Women’s Super League but we’ll go game-by-game and from there we’ll see. “We’d love to win the Champions League one day. “Of course you want to win every cup and competition. Let’s see what the next few months will bring.”Van Domselaar’s first coach at Twente, Tommy Stroot, described the 2023 Ballon d’Or nominee as a pure, natural talent. Her journey to becoming one of the most talented goalkeepers in Europe began at 11 with Dutch club LSVV before joining Telstar’s Academy ahead of a Twente move.And standout performances at the 2022 Euros paved the way for a June 2023 move to Aston Villa before Arsenal triggered a release clause to sign her last July. Reflecting on her Euros performance and move to England, Van Domselaar said: “You have these tournaments where you’re on a roll, you’re in the moment and everything goes well. “I was in that place where I felt like the best version of myself. “After that moment I chose to stay in the Netherlands for an extra year at Twente to see if I could continue having that form. “I’m really happy that I did that and had a year to think about what I wanted to do after”I still had to grow a lot especially coming from the Eredivisie to the WSL. “But I’ve grown a lot in the past season and the past two years. You can only test yourself if you’re put in a harder environment. “The league here is the most competitive in Europe so that was a big step. I said to myself, ‘Let’s see how good I actually am’.Along with club team-mate Victoria Pelova Van Domselaar, is one of 13 Dutch aces currently playing in the Women’s Super League.Her national team are one of England’s group stage rivals at this year’s Women’s Euros taking place in Switzerland in July.Both sides were steered to glory in the contest by Wiegman who led the Netherlands to the title in 2017 before lifting the trophy with the Lionesses five years later. Van Domselaar is looking forward the Netherlands’ battle with England in this year’s EurosCredit: GettyThe Gunners star added: “It’s always good to play against England because you know it will be a hard game but also an exciting one especially after the last Euros. READ MORE SUN STORIES”It will be a good check of where we are as a team. “It’s good we’ve had players coming back from injury like Jill Roord. Hopefully Victoria (Pelova) will be back as well and we’ll be full force.” More

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      Chelsea starlet opens up on her World Cup history moment and hope to ‘win everything’ with WSL leaders 

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      WIEKE KAPTEIN fondly recalls the “crazy” moment she became the youngest player to feature in a Women’s World Cup for the Netherlands.Now the 19-year-old Chelsea midfielder has her sights on a new history-making target.Wieke Kaptein wants to help Chelsea achieve their goal of a first Women’s Champions League contest win for the clubCredit: GettyThe midfielder hopes to make football history with the Blues just as she did with the Netherlands at the 2023 Women’s World CupCredit: GettyKaptein is “learning a lot” from Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert (right) and skipper Millie BrightCredit: GettyThat is helping the WSL leaders to a first-ever Champions League triumph next year.It was on August 1st last year in New Zealand a month before sealing her four-year Chelsea switch  that Kaptein stepped out on to the pitch in the World Cup.Like Brazil icon Pele, the Dutch starlet was just 17 when she made her first outing in the game’s top international tournament.Reflecting on her substitute appearance in the Netherlands’ 7-0 group stage thrashing of Vietnam, Kaptein  who now has 14 senior international caps said: “It was crazy. Read More Football Stories”When coach Andries Jonkers told me I needed to come on in the 45th minute against Vietnam, it was a dream come true.”I was standing there smiling to myself and not even thinking that this is a World Cup game.”All I could do was laugh and enjoy everything that I did there. I was really honoured to be a history-maker.”I’d never experienced a Euros or World Cup at youth team levels because I couldn’t go and needed to stay at [old club] Twente.Most read in Football”The girls in the team helped me a lot because I was only 17.”Kaptein, who was born in Hengelo in the east of the Netherlands’ Twente region, is accustomed to breaking new ground as a teenager.She was just 15 when she signed her first professional football contract for Twente.Since embarking on her first full season at Chelsea this term, she has become a trusted option as a starter as well as from the bench, making four substitute appearances in her seven WSL games.Kaptein hopes that learning from Blues skipper Millie Bright and fellow midfielder Erin Cuthbert (right) can help her development.She added: “I’m learning a lot from Millie, from Erin and particularly all the players who have been here for a long time.”I’m honoured to be with them on the pitch every time.””I’ve developed myself a lot here since the beginning of my career at Chelsea. I’m looking forward to doing that again and again.”Along with attempting to claim an eighth WSL title, Chelsea are chasing Champions League glory under boss Sonia Bompastor.While a domestic trophy clean sweep is among their goals, Kaptein hopes 2025 will be the year they topple all their rivals in Europe.So far in the competition they have won every game, with Kaptein a starter in last Tuesday’s 2-1 victory away at Real Madrid.Kaptein has has scored three goals and provided three assists in 13 WSL and Champions League games this seasonCredit: GettyIn February, the Blues will discover who out of Manchester City, Bayern Munich or Wolfsburg will be their quarter-final opponents.READ MORE SUN STORIESKaptein said: “We want to win the Champions League this season and everyone wants to win the WSL again.”The other cup competitions are also prizes. We want to win everything.” More

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      Leah Williamson reckons fans are ‘seeing the best’ of Arsenal after eight straight wins under Renee Slegers

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      LEAH WILLIAMSON joked at being relieved to not be responsible for deciding who will become the next permanent Arsenal Women’s boss. The case for appointing stand-in gaffer Renee Slegers grew stronger after the team exacted Champions League revenge on Bayern Munich. Williamson says Arsenal’s players have taken advantage of Renee Slegers encouraging them to be themselvesCredit: GettyAlessia Russo’s form has improved under Slegers with the striker netting her tenth goal in 11 games during a defeat of Bayern MunichCredit: GettyStand-in Arsenal boss Slegers has remained tightlipped on her future despite fans being keen to see her become Arsenal’s permanent bossCredit: GettyArsenal centre-back Williamson and her side finished top of their group in the contest after battling from 2-1 down to beat the German giants 3-2. The victory on Wednesday night at Meadow Park sealed Arsenal’s eighth win on the bounce under Slegers.And it saw them extend their unbeaten run under the Netherlands to 11 games ahead of Christmas and following the start of the Women’s Super League’s winter break. On whether Slegers should be given the job permanently, Williamson said: “We have been zeroing in on the games but I am so happy coming into work. Read More Football Stories “But I am so happy it is not my decision or not my role!”We had two targets at the beginning of this block (when Renee came in) and we ticked them both. It puts us in good stead, we wanted to win the group and we did.”Slegers, who has become a popular figure amongst Gunners’ supporters took on her current role following a difficult start to the season for the side. A poor run of results, including three winless games at the Emirates and 2-1 and 5-2 losses to Chelsea and Bayern, led to former boss Jonas Eidevall resigning from his role. Most read in FootballSince Slegers took charge in mid-October, the team have conceded only five goals in their past 11 gamesAnd Williamson is among the players who feel there has been a momentum shift since then. The England captain and Gunners defender adds: “When you don’t have a set manager and you have an interim, everyone becomes more accountable and everybody has to step up. “Everybody is pulling their weight a bit more and maybe we needed that. “You’ve seen a different side because we as players have taken more responsibility. “Renee has just encouraged everyone to be themselves, we found a way that fits everybody and taken advantage of that.” With Arsenal finishing top of Group C in the Champions League the Gunners will face either Manchester City, Real Madrid or Wolfsburg in the contest’s last eight. The Gunners will find out who their quarter-final opponents will be following the draw on February 7. And Slegers reckons the team are capable of toppling any of their rivals in Europe.The Arsenal interim head coach said: “We have a top squad. “It is demanding and we have had so many challenges now over the last couple of months and many times we came out positively.Real Madrid are among the teams Arsenal could face in the Champions League quarter-finals next yearCredit: Getty”The team has shown grit and determination, in combination with quality players and their idea of how we are together when we play football. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I think you can go very far but we respect all the other teams. “There are so many teams who can do really great things. It is a big challenge.” More

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      Alex Greenwood has ‘successful’ surgery following knee injury on Champions League duty with Manchester City

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      ALEX GREENWOOD has undergone an operation on a knee injury she suffered during Manchester City’s Champions League defeat of St Polten.However the 96-capped England defender is set for lengthy spell out of action after having her medial collateral ligament (MCL) repaired.Man City say their medical team will work closely with Greenwood who sustained a knee injury this monthCredit: ReutersThe Man City skipper was stretchered off during the first half of her team’s defeat of Austrian side St Polten in the Women’s Champions League group stageCredit: ReutersMan City finished second in their Champions League group after falling to a 3-0 loss to Barcelona on December 18Credit: AFPGreenwood sustained her injury in the first half of her side’s 2-0 home win against their Austrian opponents in Europe on December 12.  The Man City captain appeared to be in discomfort after going to ground following a collision with St Polten forward Melanie Brunnthaler.She was later stretchered off in the 32nd minute. There were initial worries the defender, who has made nine WSL appearances so far this term, had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.Read More Football Stories However this morning her club confirmed she damaged her MCL – which is the tissue connecting the thigh bone to the shin bone.While this usually involves a shorter period in recovery than an ACL injury it remains to be seen whether Greenwood will be fit ahead of England’s next set of international fixtures. In February Sarina Wiegman’s side are due to face Portugal and Spain in the Nations League as part of their build-up to next summer’s European Championship. And supporters will hope that Greenwood, who was part of the England squad that won the Women’s Euros two years ago, will be fit before the 2025 tournament in Switzerland. Most read in FootballMan City’s update follows their WSL team falling to a 3-0 loss to Barcelona on Wednesday. Goals from Claudia Pina, Aitana Bonmati and Barca captain Alexia Puttellas resulted in the Catalan giants finishing top of Group D with City in second spot. The Cityzens’ second place finish means they could potentially face Arsenal, Chelsea or Lyon in the competition’s quarter-finals next year. The team, who are currently second in the WSL and six points off leaders, Chelsea will find out who their opponents will be after the draw on February 7. City are contending with a swathe of injuries with forwards Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema currently sidelined. Vivianne Miedema hopes to be “fully recharged” and ready to make her Man City return in the new yearCredit: GettyAnd forward Chloe Kelly, who has faced a battle for minutes this term, was absent from the squad that faced Barcelona. City chief Gareth Taylor said this was due to “on-going symptoms” concerning concussion she sustained whilst on England duty in November. The Euros-winning Lioness star, whose current City contract runs until next summer, has started once in six top-flight appearances so far this season.  More

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      Millie Bright hopes Chelsea maintain ‘monster mentality’ with team chasing European glory in her tenth year at the club

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      MILLIE BRIGHT wants Chelsea to maintain their “monster mentality” with the WSL leaders currently unbeaten so far this season. And taking on Barcelona in the 2021 Champions League final remains one of her standout memories despite her side’s 4-0 loss.Millie Bright says winning a Champions League trophy for the first time is one Chelsea’s “ultimate goals”Credit: GettyThe Blues captain and her team-mates hope to extend their winning run in Europe by beating FC Twente in their penultimate group stage gameCredit: GettyThe Blues are chasing an eighth WSL title are currently unbeaten so far this seasonCredit: GettyAt 8:00pm tomorrow the Blues skipper and her team-mates host FC Twente at Stamford Bridge with the aim of finishing top of group B While their place in the tournament’s knockout phase has already been booked, Chelsea hope to extend their winning streak to 14 games in Europe and the WSL this term.For Bright, 31, the idea of going unbeaten has sat in her mind. The centre-back, who sealed a Blues move ten years ago today, hopes the team retain its “winning DNA” will be one of her legacies.Read More Football Stories Bright, whose side are currently unbeaten this term, said: “I want my legacy to be winning. “I’ve always said that since day one and from lifting that first trophy. “I want Chelsea to keep that winning DNA and monster mentality. “I always joke about being a surprise signing. No one expected it and there were a lot of doubts.Most read in Football”I want everyone to look at that and know that if you have the right mentality, attitude and apply yourself properly, you can be successful in whatever environment you go into.”Since joining Chelsea from a Doncaster Rovers Belles side that were demoted in 2013, Bright has lifted seven WSL titles, four FA Cups and two Women’s League Cups. One major prize that has thus far eluded her is a Women’s Champions League trophy. And Bright hopes her tenth term at Chelsea could be the season she lifts one. She adds: “To be able to play in that Champions League final (against Barcelona three years ago) is a standing memory because I want to be able to go to one again. “I don’t have any regrets (about the result). I learnt so much from that experience.Bright wants Chelsea to maintain momentum by registering wins in their last three games for this yearCredit: Getty”Everyone knows that’s the trophy that we’re after. “We have been for so long and nothing changes in that mindset. “That’s the ultimate goal.” More

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      Arsenal boss says players’ progress to Women’s Champions League knockouts is the ‘perfect end’ to an intense run

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      RENEE SLEGERS described Arsenal reaching the Women’s Champions League’ last eight as the “ultimate end to an intense” block of games. It took her Gunners 89 minutes to break Juventus’s resistance with Lina Hurtig’s strike securing their sixth win in seven matches across all competitions. Arsenal have gone a seven-game unbeaten run since Renee Slegers became interim manager of the WSL sideCredit: GettyLina Hurtig’s first goal in the Women’s Champions League this season secured the Gunners’ place in the contest’s quarter-finalsCredit: AlamyWhile their performance last night at the Emirates was less goal-laden than their 4-0 demolition of the Serie A side last week, the result maintained their unbeaten run under Slegers. The stand-in boss has impressed since taking charge of the side in mid-October following Jonas Eidevall resigning from his role as head coach. Following a mixed start to the season, Arsenal have looked more fluid in attack in three of their last four games with 12 goals scored. During their 5-0 defeat of Brighton on November 8 one fan was spotted holding a placard with the words “In Renee we trust” daubed across it. Read More Football StoriesThe team’s fourth win on the bounce since then has strengthened the case for the Netherlands-born stand-in Arsenal boss to continue in her role. Although the result gave the Gunners what she describes as “breathing space”, she sees the situation as surreal. Of their seven-game unbeaten run, Slegers said: “It’s the ultimate end to a very busy and intense block we have had here. “It is the perfect ending for this block. It means a lot. Most read in Sport”All of the players totally deserve it because of the work they put in. It gives us some breathing space in the last two games as well.”We wouldn’t give ourselves a ten out of ten but we will give ourselves a big fat ‘enough’. “We will never play the perfect game so it won’t be a ten, but we are very happy with what we have done so far.  “I never felt we would get into this situation. “We have done really well but I was part of Jonas (Eidevall’s) staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don’t want to separate that. “There is so much we are still building on. It’s surreal in so many ways but we are very happy. “Compared to last term with Chelsea the only WSL side in the contest’s knockout phase, all three English clubs competing this season have fared well in the group stage. Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City currently sit top of group D above Barcelona with four wins from four matches including their 2-0 win against the LaLiga Women’s leaders in October.  An efficient 2-1 defeat of Hammarby last night, with City also entering the tournament’s last eight, came courtesy of two goals netted by Khadija Shaw.Khadija Shaw struck twice to seal Manchester City’s away win against Hammarby in their fourth Champions League group stage game this termCredit: GettyThe Jamaica striker has been in fine form in Europe for City so far this term netting three times in four Champions League appearances. READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile Chelsea also maintained a hundred per cent win record in the group stages so far The team claimed a quarter-final place by beating Celtic 3-0 on Wednesday ahead of duels with FC Twente and Real Madrid next month.  More

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      Hanna Bennison ready for ‘tough’ Arsenal test and a ‘must-win’ Women Champions League game for Juventus

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      HANNA BENNISON has grown accustomed to performing under pressure during her journey to the top of women’s football.Tonight the Juventus ace and her club pals face the tough task of attempting to keep their Champions Leagues hopes alive by avoiding a loss to Arsenal.   Hanna Bennison and her team-mates are currently third in their Women’s Champions League group behind Bayern Munich and ArsenalCredit: GettyJuventus will need to avoid a defeat away at Arsenal should Bayern Munich beat or draw with Valerenga in their group stage gameCredit: GettyArsenal have been fine form under interim boss Renee Slegers winning five and drawing one of their last six games in the WSL and EuropeCredit: GettyIt was four years ago in January that the former Everton ace, then 17, was included on a Uefa list of ten young up and coming players to look out for. Being named by as one of Europe’s promising young players is a fond memory for BennisonIt also made her reflect on the pressure that comes with performing at elite level. The playmaker said: “It was really fun to get their nomination, but then also I think it brought a lot of pressure on me. Read More Football Stories”I felt like I had to show that I’m one of those (top players). “But of course I was really happy to be recognised in that way. “I’ve always been putting pressure on myself ever since I was young because I want to be the best I can be. “I’ve always played with pressure. Most read in Football”At times it got a bit hard but then I took the help I needed, for example, by talking to my family and friends, and that has helped a lot. “You’re always going to feel pressure somehow when you play football. “You need to perform, you want to perform and you want to be the best you can. “I accept that there is going to be pressure. For me it’s about learning how to deal with it.”Since making her senior club football debut at 15 at the start of a three-year stint with Rosengard, Bennison’s journey has included her lifting a top-flight title with them in Sweden.  An August 2021 transfer to Everton, with the forward signing for a club record-breaking six-figure sum, followed her time with the Swedish side.And after three years and 63 Women’s Super League appearances for the Toffees, Bennison sealed a three-year move to Juventus in July. Her switch to the top-flight Italian side came 11 months after helping Sweden battle their to a bronze medal win in last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia. And having been part of Everton teams that finished tenth, sixth and eighth in England’s top tier, Bennison felt she was “ready for something new” with Juve.This includes competing for a Serie A Women’s title and in the Champions League with the Turin club. Before her move the midfielder chatted to her Sweden international team-mate Linda Sembrant who spent three years at Juve prior to joining Bayern Munich this summer.  Bennison adds: “I just got a really good feeling speaking to the head coach and other staff around the club.”I spoke to Linda who was here before. For me, I needed something new and Juventus are interesting because of their style of play.”Winning games, playing in the Champions League and competing at the highest level is important to me.”I felt this is a good environment for me to come to and to hopefully play a lot as well.  “I want to develop and grow with the team and of course we want to win things.”On the domestic front Juventus are currently faring well with the team top of the table. Ahead of their Sunday away clash with Como, Bennison’s side are unbeaten in 10 games and four points off second-placed Fiorentina. Tonight at 8:00pm however they face a battle to keep hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals alive. The team are currently third in Group C and three points behind Arsenal who are second after two losses from their opening three group stage fixtures. They must avoid a loss to Gunners at the Emirates should Bayern Munich beat Valerenga in the other Group C clash taking place this evening. Bennison, whose side lost 4-0 to Arsenal last week, said: “It’s a game we need to win. Juventus will take on Como when they return to Serie A action this SundayCredit: Getty”We will do our very best to deliver a good performance and try to win it, but we know it will be hard. READ MORE SUN STORIES”We let in a lot of goals towards the end of the last game which we’re not happy about. We want to do things differently in this game.”It would mean a lot (to win) and that’s our goal. But it’s going to be tough for sure.” More

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      ‘Time is short for footballers. You want to play in these big games’, says Celtic’s Saoirse Noonan

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      HELPING Celtic make Women’s Champions League history by reaching its group stage for the first time has been more than a wow moment for Saoirse Noonan. The midfielder and lifelong fan of the club has viewed this as a chance to prove the team’s doubters wrong. Celtic Women will take on Chelsea tonight at Stamford Bridge following their 2-1 loss to the Blues in their third group stage game.Credit: GettyThe team are currently bottom of Group B after three defeats in the group stageCredit: GettyIn a group featuring Chelsea, Real Madrid and Dutch side FC Twente, the Hoops have been the underdogs. While results have so far not gone their way with Celtic bottom after three defeats, they gave a decent account of themselves last Wednesday against Chelsea. A slick first-half strike from Murphy Agnew at Celtic Park put the Scottish Women’s Premier team in the lead before the Blues battled back to a 2-1 victory. Tonight Noonan’s side face Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge and aim “to put their best foot forward”. Read More Football StoriesThey face a tough challenge with their opponents yet to be beaten in the WSL or Europe this term. The Blues have so far claimed ten wins across the board, including a 2-0 defeat of Manchester City on Saturday in the English top tier. Noonan, who has made three Champions League appearances this term, said: “We have a big run of games.”We treat every game the same regardless of whether we’re playing Chelsea or another teamMost read in Football”These fixtures coming up are huge for us. We’re going to put our best foot forward for the next few and see what happens. “As a footballer your time is short and you want to be enjoying it and playing in these big games. “These are unbelievable occasions and we’re definitely the underdogs, but we believe in ourselves and in our abilities. “It’s 90 minutes so why not go and give it a bash and put everything we have, our heart and soul, into the game and see what we can do?”For Noonan, whose senior club career began at Cork City in 2015, playing Champions League football has been since her days playing for Shelbourne. During a loan move from Durham two years ago she was part of the Shelbourne side that qualified to play in the contest’s Champions Path rounds held in June 2022. But her return from loan to the Women’s Championship side meant she would miss out on playing in the competition that year. Noonan adds: “I actually never got to play in the Champions League with Shelbourne because I left that summer so I was only on the team that qualified for the competition. Playing in the Champions League is one thing. Doing it for a club that you’ve always known growing up is something different.”Battling Chelsea in the elite competition for women’s football clubs in Europe is an experience that Noonan has relished: She said: “Playing a team that you watch weekly, and I’m not afraid to say I watch the Women’s Super League week-in, week-out. “I admire all those girls, how athletic they are, how professional they are and what they’re doing for everyone in the women’s game. “To be playing a part in that sometimes you have to take a step back and say, ‘wow I am there and I am playing against the best in the world’. “We did really well to get this far. No one expected us to get here and no one expects us to win. Hopefully we can prove people wrong.”Celtic etching their names into the history books by reaching the tournament’s group stage in September came two months after Noonan’s switch from Durham. The versatile midfielder joined the club on a permanent three-year deal in July. And she netted twice on her debut against Dundee United on August 10. For the Republic of Ireland international who grew up in a family of Celtic fans, her move was an emotional moment. Noonan adds: “When it was all happening before there were no papers signed, it was like ‘keep it hush hush’. “They were asking, ‘is it definitely happening?’.”Then we all went for dinner and it was on my birthday and I told the family that day. “Everyone, including my granny, were a bit emotional because it meant a lot. Noonan and her team-mates will play Montrose in the SWPL next following their clash with ChelseaCredit: Sportsfile”Football is a tough game and things can go right and wrong. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’ve had my ups and my downs, it was just a really nice moment for everyone.”I don’t think my uncles have called around my house so much when I’m home to see me just because I play for Celtic.” More