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    Hayes hails Chelsea ‘wise heads’ as Reiten and Cuthbert shine in win against Lyon in the Champions League

    EMMA HAYES praised Chelsea for delivering under pressure after their gritty 1-0 away win against Lyon.Her side suffered an injury blow with Millie Bright set for a scan after hobbling off during the Champions League quarters clash.
    Guro Reiten’s classy curled finish helped Chelsea defeat Lyon in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
    Erin Cuthbert nutmegged Damaris Egurrola before providing an assist for Reiten at the Groupama StadiumCredit: Getty
    Millie Bright came off in the first half of the Blues’ clash Lyon after sustaining an injuryCredit: Getty
    But Guro Reiten’s stunning strike after Erin Cuthbert’s tenacious assist saw the Blues claim a first-leg victory before their return game at Stamford Bridge. 
    Hayes said: “Erin hasn’t played since Continental Cup final. She had a hamstring injury.
    “She’s only been back in training on Monday with the team so I didn’t really know how her legs would be, but she’s got the heart of a lion
    “She delivered the job we were looking for.
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    “I’m used to seeing that from Erin, putting Guro in the position (to score). 
    “I said to Guro, ‘what a fabulous right foot you’ve got’. Maybe you could use it a little more often.”
    It remains to be seen whether Bright will be fit for the second leg as well as Chelsea’s WSL clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
    The Blues’ vice-skipper made a 44th-minute exit after clutching her knee following a duel for the ball. 
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    And it could leave England sweating on the centre-back’s fitness with the Lionesses facing Brazil and Australia in April. 
    Hayes added: “Millie will have a scan on Thursday. I know she couldn’t carry on.”
    Lyon had the most shots in the first half an hour capitalising on some misplaced passes from the visitors.
    Eugenie Le Sommer fired wide after an 11th-minute flick on with Lindsey Horan’s shot prompting a save from Ann-Katrin moments later.
    But it was Chelsea who took the lead with Cuthbert nutmegging Damaris Egurrola before a reverse pass to Reiten.
    The Blues winger made no mistake curling in a stunning 28th-minute top corner shot past Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler.
    Hayes’ side came close to doubling their advantage with Lauren James hitting the post shortly after.
    The second spell saw the Blues soak up pressure with Magda Eriksson heading away Horan’s 53rd minute header.
    Cuthbert nearly scored moments later with her firm strike forcing a save from Endler.
    Chelsea almost conceded after giving the ball away to Delphine Cascarino who hit the woodwork with 28 minutes of normal time left.
    And Ann-Katrin Berger prevented a leveller claiming the ball following Sara Dabritz’s header. 
    The visitors held out to seal a result that puts them a step closer to a semi-finals spot.
    Hayes added: “The pressure situations are moments that reveal your character, your wisdom, your knowledge and your experience. 
    Chelsea face Lyon at Stamford Bridge on Thursday 30 March in a second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final tieCredit: Getty
    “I think the team delivered those characteristics under pressure. 
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    “I also believe if you build consistency in your habits every day, then every day is a Champions League game
    “We’ve become accustomed to the competition and we played with a wise head.” More

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    ‘It’s a problem that not every game has the same level of technology’, says Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall

    JONAS EIDEVALL criticised the irregular use of goal line technology in the Women’s Champions League after Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.The Gunners saw some solid calls for penalties dismissed in the first leg of their quarter-final clash with the German giants. 
    Jonas Eidevall said Arsenal had two “clear and obvious penalty situations” in their match against Bayern at the Allianz ArenaCredit: Getty
    The visitors saw a couple of efforts cleared off the line in their clash with German clubCredit: Getty
    The Gunners hope to bounce back at the Emirates in the second leg of their quarters clashCredit: Getty
    Video assistant referees are deployed in the contest at this stage, but the choice to use goal line technology is optional. 
    And Eidevall, whose Gunners play Bayern at the Emirates next Wednesday says goal line technology was not in use in the match at the Allianz Arena. 
    The Arsenal boss said: “When we look at this competition and we’re thinking about taking the next step for it, it highlights a couple of issues. 
    “One is that VAR is only introduced in the quarter-finals.
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    “I don’t know if that VAR referee (for this game) has ever used VAR before. 
    “Secondly, goal line technology is something you can use at this stage of the competition just like the group stages, but it’s not compulsory.”
    Lea Schuller’s goal proved to be the decisive finish in the game.
    A towering 39th-minute header from the German side’s top scorer sealed a win that saw them maintain unbeaten run at home this term.
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    However the Gunners saw their spot-kick appeals in both halves come to nothing. 
    The first occurred after Caitlin Foord’s eighth-minute shot struck the arm of Bayern defender Glodis Perla Viggosdottir. 
    The visitors had two further appeals for a potential 63rd-minute shirt pull on Rafaelle Souza and goalkeeper Maria-Luisa Grohs picking up a back pass from a team-mate.
    And there were questions concerning no deployment of goal line technology in the match with Stina Blackstenius’ second-half header cleared off the line.
    Eidevall added: “Part of me is proud because the performance was really strong coming here to Allianz Arena. 
    “Part of me is disappointed with the result that we couldn’t be more efficient with our chances. 
    “And part of me is angry because VAR was not working in the Arena tonight as there were clear and obvious penalty situations – two of them – and I think that’s unacceptable.
    “Tonight goal line technology was not in use. 
    “When we go to the Emirates next week, Arsenal choose to pay for goal line technology because we think that’s the right thing to do to ensure a fair competition. 
    “I think it’s a problem for the competition that not every game has the same level of technology in helping officials take the right decisions.”
    Arsenal were unfortunate to come away goalless from the game in Munich. 
    After their hosts had the upper hand in the first half, the visitors dominated the game’s second spell.
    Among their closest chances was a 55th-minute rifled Foord effort prompting a diving save from Grohs. 
    Frida Maanum came close to scoring in the second half with a late strike hitting the side of the netCredit: EPA
    Eidevall added: “The players were brilliant. they were really brave on the ball and displayed Arsenal in a really good way in the second half.
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    “We should be proud of that, but we are disappointed with the result
    “We’re going to try and do everything in our power to turn this result around next week.” More

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    Eidevall says Arsenal should not fear Bayern Munich’s solid home record as Gunners eye Champions League semis spot

    JONAS EIDEVALL insists Arsenal must not fear Bayern Munich’s formidable home form in their Champions League duel. The head coach, 40, feels the Gunners are in ‘a good place’ following recent wins including their Conti Cup triumph against Chelsea.
    Jonas Eidevall hopes to guide Arsenal to Champions League semi-finals this seasonCredit: Getty
    The Gunners face a stern test in their clash with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena at 5:45 pm on TuesdayCredit: Getty
    Their opponents are second in Germany’s top-flight after winning 13 of the 15 games they have played so far this termCredit: Reuters
    Tuesday evening sees Arsenal back in action in Europe when they visit Bayern in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
    The German side have been in scintillating form with 12 wins from their last 13 matches across all competitions.
    Results include a 3-1 group stage home defeat of Barcelona last December.
    The Gunners chief said: “Our performance against Liverpool and Reading has shown that we’re a team in a good place right now.
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    “With the preparation here for Bayern Munich and the preparation lately, I have had a feeling of sharing less information with the players because I’m more assured that we know what to do in those situations.
    “Let’s hope that it’s a good sign or not sign a false security, but I choose to believe in the first.”
    On Saturday Eidevall watched Bayern in action in Germany’s top tier when the team visited Koln who are second from bottom.
    Alexander Straus’s aces thrashed their opponents 5-0 with all their goals scored in the first half and winger Klara Buhl netting twice in 15 minutes.
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    Eidevall, whose side whose side clinched an away win and draw against Lyon and Juventus, added: “They were very dominant and they won very well deservedly. 
    “It’s never easy to be that dominant against an opponent so we know we’re going to play against a good team, but we’re also a good team. 
    “There are a lot of similarities in the way that both teams play so I think it’s an exciting match-up from that perspective as well.
    “We have respect for that (in terms of Bayern’s home record) but we shouldn’t fear it.
    “We’ve been playing teams that have had great home records this season in the Champions League to be fair.
    “Lyon and Juventus, are two teams that have excellent home records in the Champions League.
    “We managed to draw in Turin and we won against Lyon.”
    Arsenal’s duel with Bayern at the Allianz Arena comes four days after the club sealed a surprise swoop for Jodie Taylor.
    The veteran striker has joined the WSL side until the end of this season following her spell as a Gunner from March 2016 to November 2017.
    The club have also triggered their option to extend Manuela Zinsberger’s contract.
    The goalkeeper, 27, who joined the club in 2019 after a five-year Bayern spell, will remain with the side until the end of next season.
    The Gunners hope to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since March 2013.
    Manuela Zinsberger says winning the Champions League with Arsenal would mean the world to herCredit: Getty
    Triumph in the tournament would see them become the first English club to win the trophy twice.
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    The Austria shot stopper said: “If we could win the Champions League, it would mean the world.
    “I guess I would be speechless and just happy.” More

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    Arsenal 3 Zurich 1: Nobbs scores a stunner and Hurtig nets her first Gunners brace as WSL leaders thwart Zurich

    JORDAN NOBBS belted in a wondergoal and capped her first Champions League start of the season in style as Arsenal survived a Zurich fightback. Lina Hurtig bagged a brace as the Gunners marked their 100th game in the contest with a 3-0 victory at the Emirates.
    Jordan Nobbs’ superb strike saw her net her first Champions League group-stage goal this termCredit: Getty
    Lina Hurtig scored twice against Zurich in her first start for ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Arsenal are now two points clear at the top of Group C after two wins in two games and a convincing victory watched by a 5,397-strong crowd.
    They have been beaten just once in their last 14 games played at home with their last loss occurring against Chelsea in the FA Cup in April.  
    Meanwhile, former Gunners boss Joe Montemurro steered Juventus to a 1-1 draw with Lyon with the French giants third with just a point from two outings. 
    Jonas Eidevall made seven changes to the Arsenal side that hammered the tournament record winners 5-1 with Vivianne Miedema returning to his first 11. 
    The Gunners gaffer, whose team have played three games in eight days, gave starts to Nobbs, Mana Iwabuchi, and Hurtig who shone in her first start for the club. 
    Eidevall said: “I thought with us coming off a pretty tight playing schedule it was important for us to change the squad at this moment.
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    “I expected Zurich to be a little bit lower but we had to work a little more to break them down.
    “Jordan’s first goal was a prime example of her finding the right moment to go forward to attack.
    “This game really came at a moment where we needed to trust the whole squad.
    “It’s the Champions League so everything is at stake and I hope the players feel that and that trust in them.
    “When you put players on in a Champions League game it’s because you trust them.
    “I’ve been really happy with how people have been training and how the spirit has been.”
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    Arsenal’s game took place hours after Gunners’ Prem centre-back Pablo Mari was flown to hospital after being stabbed at a supermarket in Milan.
    The defender, 29, on loan at Serie A side Monza, is one of five people reported to have been attacked around 6:30 pm local time this evening.
    Eidevall added: “He is at the hospital and is alright under very sad conditions.
    “I hope he and all the other victims are as good as possible following this event.
    “I hope they can all feel the love from the Arsenal family. No person should go through things like that.”
    Jonas Eidevall’s side are now top of Group C ahead of their November duel with JuventusCredit: Reuters
    Germany legend Inka Grings, who with Beth Mead holds the record for the most goals scored at a Euros, said her Zurich side would do all they could to stress the in-form Gunners. 
    The last match between the clubs saw the Swiss side thrashed 7-2 by the WSL leaders in 2008 with Kim Little netting a hat-trick. 
    The Swiss outfit sought to frustrate their opponents from the get-go. 
    And for the first 36 minutes, they held out congesting space in the final third whilst intercepting and blocking passes when they could. 
    But their resistance was finally broken when Nobbs struck a stunning 37th-minute volleyed goal following a superb cross from Steph Catley. 
    Eidevall’s, aces who face West Ham next, doubled their advantage close to halftime with Iwabuchi teeing up Hurtig’s headed effort following some delightful footwork. 
    The second half saw Zurich look to pull one back quickly with Seraina Piubel firing wide after evading Jen Beattie. 
    Seraina Piubel netted a second-half goal for Zurich at the EmiratesCredit: Reuters
    And the forward, who has found the net five times so far this term eventually got her wish with 13 minutes of normal time remaining.
    Her shot past keeper Kaylan Marckese sparked Zurich players’ celebrations on the touchline. 
    But their joy was shortlived as the hosts restored their two-goal advantage with Stina Blackstenius’ cross turned home by Hurtig.
    And the Arsenal striker fired an injury-time effort over the bar before her side saw out the win. More