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      ‘It’s an emotional thing to experience’, says Wubben-Moy of Arsenal’s sold-out Champions League duel at the Emirates

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      LOTTE WUBBEN-MOY says Arsenal are finally getting their rewards after selling out the Emirates for the first time. Later Jonas Eidevall’s side will battle Wolfsburg for a place in the Women’s Champions League final for the first time since 2007. 
      Arsenal are bidding to reach their first Women’s Champions League final under head coach Jonas EidevallCredit: Getty
      Stina Blackstenius netted for the Gunners along with Rafaelle when they clinched in 2-2 first-leg semis draw against Wolfsburg last time outCredit: Getty
      This evenings second-leg Women’s Champions League clash with Wolfsburg is expected to draw a crowd of more than 60,000 at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
      The teams are locked at 2-2 after the first leg in Germany with a June 
      This evening, 60,000-plus fans are due to attend, which would break the record for a women’s club game played in England
      A June 3rd duel with Barcelona at PSV’s stadium in Eindhoven awaits the winners of this evening’s match. 
      For lifelong Gooner Wubben-Moy, the chance to play for a place in the final in front of a 60,000-plus crowd at the Emirates is a dream come true. 
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      The Arsenal centre-back, 24, said: “I don’t think I’d ever have dreamed of it to be honest. 
      “It’s quite an emotional thing for everyone to experience not only maybe as players.
      “But I think for you guys as well being in it (covering the women’s game) for such a long time.
      “Maybe it was the straw that broke the camel’s back that Euros win (for the Lionesses at a packed Wembley). 
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      “Now the floodgates have opened and we’re getting our just desserts.
      “Let’s not forget that we’re maybe 50-odd years behind the men’s game. 
      “I think Karen Carney described it as a start up business and women’s football is in its infant years. We’re walking but we’re about to start running and heck, we’re probably about to start sprinting as well. 
      “I think everyone’s contributions to that, not just as players as you guys as staff, the staff here at Arsenal, all of this contributes to it. 
      “It’s no surprise that we’re going to be sprinting soon, because the investments come in, the visibility has come in.”
      The highest attendance for a women’s match at the Emirates currently stands at 47,367 
      Arsenal set a new record there for the biggest crowd at a WSL game when they beat Tottenham 4-0 last September. 
      Wubben-Moy added: “Everything is coming at the right time.
      “As long as we have that backbone, and we have the opportunities to go and do it, the sky’s the limit.
      “I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it. But then I’m also kind of like, ‘heck, we deserve it. This is what we’re here for..”
      The match will see the club bid to reach their first Women’s Champions League final in 16 years following injuries to Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Kim Little and Leah Williamson.
      Jonas Eidevall hailed his side for stepping up this season following injuries to players including skipper and vice-captain Kim Little and Leah WilliamsonCredit: Getty
      Eidevall said: “To see how the players respond to injuries to Leah and Kim, for the team to really want to play for the players who can’t at the moment almost honouring them.
      “It’s so nice when a team works like that.
      “You can’t take that for granted. It’s a special group of players who are really stepping up and living that culture at the moment.
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      “It’s really nice to be part of and we need to keep that going forward.”
      Arsenal vs. Wolfsburg in the second leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final can be watched live on DAZN’s YouTube channel at 5:45pm. More

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      Kirk backs Leicester to move out of the WSL’s relegation zone and reckons table looks ‘more healthy’ for Foxes

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      WILLIE KIRK would rather see Leicester have a dull mid-table end to their season instead of the relegation fight facing his players.And the Foxes gaffer is backing his side to move off bottom spot once again when they face Liverpool at home this lunchtime. 
      A win against Liverpool for Willie Kirk’s Leicester would see them leapfrog Brighton and Reading ahead of their rivals’ games against Tottenham and Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Leicester midfield starlet Monique Robinson signed her first professional contract with the Foxes ahead of today’s gameCredit: Getty
      Leicester picked up three points against Reading at the King Power last time outCredit: Getty
      Leicester are in the midst of a four-way fight for WSL survival with Brighton, Tottenham and Reading also battling to maintain their top-flight status. 
      Just three points separate the bottom-placed Foxes from Tottenham with Kirk’s side lying 12th and Spurs sat four places above them.
      The Leicester City chief, 44, said: “I’d rather have a boring end of the season, and be sat in seventh or eighth,
      “But the biggest motivator has been that everybody wrote us off and said Leicester was down. 
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      “So that’s been a motivator internally, and now the table is looking more healthy.”
       Leicester’s only WSL clash with the Reds saw them snatch a 1-0 win on the road in  February – their second victory in the top tier this term. 
      But Kirk is confident his players can beat the drop with the race to avoid relegation hotting up with games against Brighton and West Ham coming up in May. 
      Kirk, whose side beat Reading last time out before the international  break, added: “We came off the bottom once. 
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      “I did say there was a chance we could be back down there, with so many games until we play again. 
      “But the fact we’ve done it once already will help us to do it again.
      “We were very aware of the results around us. 
      “We’d like the players not to focus on that too much but we’re not silly, we watch the games.
      “It’s in our hands, and if we hit our target we know we’ll be safe.”
      The Foxes will be without the services of Jess Sigsworth. 
      The forward, 28, who returned to fitness following knee ligament damage, is currently sidelined by injury. 
      Kirk added: “It’s really frustrating for her. We hoped she would build on the Reading performance but it wasn’t to be.”
      Meanwhile Liverpool have suffered an injury blow with Melissa Lawley ruled out for the rest of this season. 
      Matt Beard says Liverpool winger Melissa Lawley could be out of action for six months due to a hip issueCredit: Getty
      It is thought the winger, 29, may have to undergo surgery on her hip.  

      Reds Boss Matt Beard, 45, said:  “Unfortunately, Mel is going to be out with a hip problem and she is probably going to need an operation.
      “Without going into the ins and outs, she is probably going to be out for six months all in all, post-operation.” More

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      Jepson targets defeat of Brighton and warns Tottenham cannot dwell on past win against Seagulls

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      VICKY JEPSON reckons Tottenham’s top form against Brighton will have little bearing on the clash between the rivals later  And the interim Spurs boss was tight-lipped on her chance of taking her role on permanently with her focus on helping her side beat the drop 
      Tottenham will be hoping for a repeat of the performance that saw them beat Brighton 8-0 last OctoberCredit: Getty
      Vicky Jepson reckons Melissa Phillips has rallied the Seagulls who are currently one point behind SpursCredit: Getty
      A win for Brighton would see them leapfrog Tottenham and move to ninth spotCredit: Getty
      At 5:15 pm Jepson’s side will face Seagulls at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      Albion rivals have impressed with their efforts on the pitch in recent games. 
      However the last clash between the teams saw them thrashed 8-0 in one of their heaviest home losses in the top tier. 
      And that result was later followed by former Brighton boss Hope Powell standing down from her role last October. 
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      Jepson, 36, said: “We’ve played them already in the season and it was 8-0.
      “We can’t hold on to that, you’re only as good as your last game. 
      “Our last game was against Villa and there are still things we need to get right. 
      “We will focus on those things as well as the things that we did very well and make sure we apply them in the game against Brighton.”
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      Tottenham’s home record against Albion has been pretty solid in the WSL. 
      The last three duels between the rivals at Spurs’ home has seen the hosts come out on top including a 4-0 trouncing in February last year. 
      However Brighton have picked up three points from their last two league games following the Melissa Phillips’ appointment as manager earlier this month. 
      Jepson added: “Home form, away form, that kind of goes out the window a little bit.
      “Brighton have got a new manager and it’s fantastic to see another female manager come into the WSL in Mel (Melissa Phillips). 
      “She’s a great coach and has certainly rallied them up and given them a clear direction.”
      A win for the Seagulls would see them leapfrog Tottenham to go ninth in the table ahead of a home clash with West Ham. 
      Albion boss Phillips, 35, said: “We’re really focused on our action plan and how we get to where we want to be. 
      “We’ll be making it as competitive a performance as possible (against Tottenham).”
      Brighton have picked up three points from their last two WSL games since Melissa Phillips has taken chargeCredit: Getty
      Spurs’ results have been mixed in their last four games with the team registering a win, two losses and a draw from their last four games. 
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      However the club saw a nine-game losing run ended after Jepson’s first game in charge as interim boss. 
      When asked about possibly becoming the team’s permanent head coach, Jepson said: “If we keep this team in the WSL, then that is fine by me, that’s all my focus is” More

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      Turner turns up the heat on Manchester United’s title rivals with late winner against Aston Villa

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      MILLIE TURNER hailed Manchester United’s shift in mentality after her last-ditch effort stopped Aston Villa denting their title charge.  The defender’s goal at the death helped the Red Devils snatch a 3-2 away win with Rachel Daly netting twice in the five-goal thriller. 
      Millie Turner’s finish helped Man United open up a six-point lead over Man City with the leaders going seven points ahead of ChelseaCredit: PA
      The centre-back headed home in the 93rd minute after the Red Devils won a late free-kick much to Aston Villa’s dismayCredit: PA
      Rachel Daly netted a brace for Carla Ward’s side who are currently fifthCredit: Getty
      It was a moment reminiscent of their defeat of Arsenal last November when Alessia Russo’s injury-time finish sealed a 3-2 victory. 
      The result saw United go seven points ahead of title holders Chelsea and six in front of Man City in a fiercely contested title battle. 
      But the Blues could cut their lead to four points whilst carrying two games in hand should they beat Liverpool on Wednesday. 
      However Turner believes calmness within the Red Devils ranks could be key in their hunt for a historic first-ever WSL title. 
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      The centre-back told BBC Sport: “Ever since the Arsenal game at the Emirate we’ve just had a switching mentality. 
      “We know that we can win games and we know we can win every game.  
      “I think that’s so important in the dressing room and we came out here and believed every single minute that we could win this game and that’s what we did.
      “We just need to stay calm and take every game as it comes. We try to put in good performances and see where it can take us.”
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      United notched up their 15th win in 19 league games with the team yet to lose a WSL fixture away this term. 
      Red Devils boss Marc Skinner, whose team play Tottenham next, added: “In the first half we were not good enough.
      “We didn’t raise the intensity and Villa were all over us. We played into their hands, we tried to play a style of football rather than the game itself.
      “Second half we addressed that, Villa were excellent, but with this team we find a way, and we found a way again.”
      Before the match Skinner spoke of the need for his side to stop their rivals “free-flowing” play with Villa having netted three goals in their last match. 
      And the visitors got off to a decent start with Katie Zelem firing wide.
      But the hosts began to up their ante in attack with Daly looking to deliver.
      The striker gave her side a ninth-minute lead via a classy set piece heading home from Lucy Staniforth’s pinpoint corner-kick. 
      But United drew level moments later with Leah Galton turning the ball home from Ona Batlle’s curved delivery. 
      Hannah Hampton denied the visitors a 32nd-minute lead, pulling off a stunning flying save parrying Galton’s shot away from danger 
      And the score remained 1-1 until Daly fired Carla Ward’s side back in front close to half-time
      Her swept-in finish saw her go level with Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw at the top of WSL scorers chart with 17 goals 
      The second spell saw Daly come close sealing a hat-trick with the striker hitting the woodwork following Kenza Dali’s pass into the box.
      But United hit back immediately through Nikita Parris
      The forward bagging her third WSL goal of the season powering a header past Hampton from Hannah Blundell’s cross. 
      Ella Toone came close to netting late on with her fierce drive forcing another classy Hampton stop. 
      And team-mate Turner,  who came on in the 87th minute, sealed United’s win after they won a stoppage time free-kick.
      She netted a dramatic injury-time header following Katie Zelem’s inch perfect delivery.
      Carla Ward’s team will take on Reading next SundayCredit: Reuters
      Villa boss Carla Ward said: “I feel like we deserved something from the game.
      “We had a couple of opportunities where we hit the bar, we did tremendously well.
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      “Credit to Manchester United, they are top of the league for a reason, but it is sickening.
      “We are disappointed tonight because we are going home with nothing when we should as a bare minimum have taken a point.” More

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      Women’s Football Awards gets over 20,000 votes as Lionesses set to join Eni Aluko and Carragher for glitzy ceremony

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      OVER 20,000 votes have been cast for the Women’s Football Awards next month.The glittering ceremony takes place in London and will have many of the Lionesses’ Euros winning team up for awards.
      Eni Aluko will host the Women’s Football AwardsCredit: PA
      Jamie Carragher will also co-hostCredit: Getty
      Alessia Russo and Beth Mead have been nominated for accoladesCredit: PA
      Alessia Russo of Manchester United has been nominatedCredit: Getty
      The prestigious awards event, in association with SHEIN and SportsMail, will celebrate the players, people, brands and organisations who are contributing to the growth of the sport. 
      Thousands of people took part in voting on the publicly-nominated shortlist with names including Manchester United’s Mary Earps, Chelsea star Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Leah Williams all nominated for accolades. 
      Manchester United’s Alessia Russo, Liverpool’s Missy Bo Kearns and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Poppy Pattinson are nominated alongside international stars such as Caroline Weir, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Vivianne Miedema all on the shortlist.  
      The public voted in their masses across a variety of categories which also includes Journalist or Broadcaster of the Year, Best Club of the Year and women’s football Marketing Campaign of the Year. 
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      The votes will now be assessed and ratified by a star-studded judging panel including Lionesses Nikita Parris and Jess Carter and sports media personalities such as Hayley McQueen, Sue Smith and Seema Jaswal.
      The judging panel will also select winners of a series of awards for business and brands who have shown an outstanding commitment. 
      Big organisations shortlisted include Adidas, McDonalds, Three Mobile, Pepsi, Arnold Clark and Everton Football Club. 
      The Women’s Football Awards is set to be hosted by former Chelsea and England international Eni Aluko plus Sky Sports presenter Jamie Carragher, who will be joined by leading personalities from the women’s game alongside top celebrities and broadcasters. 
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      Sky Sports Breakfast presenter Hayley McQueen will also be involved in hosting duties on the night.
      Sponsored by global online fashion, beauty and lifestyle retailer SHEIN, it is the first time all levels of women’s football will be recognised at one flagship event.
      The Women’s Football Awards will pay tribute to grassroots greatness as well as national and international superstars of the women’s game. 
      Other major award categories include Grassroots Initiative of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award. 
      Co-host Aluko, who made 102 appearances for the England national team, said: “It is incredible that over 20,000 people have taken part in the public vote.
      “I am so pleased to be involved in this event because these awards are genuinely decided by fans of women’s football. It is the first time it has ever happened in the sport.”
      “This is a brilliant event, highlighting the amazing work of players, brands, organisations and journalists to grow the game we love.
      “I am looking forward to celebrating with the winners on 25 May.” 
      The Women’s Football Awards, backed by SHEIN and Klarna, will take place on 25 May More

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      Barcelona 1 Chelsea 1 (Agg 2-1) Graham Hansen goal at the Nou Camp ends the Blues’ Champions League charge

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      EMMA HAYES was “gutted” to see Chelsea’s Champions League run end this term after Barcelona dashed their hopes of a treble.  Caroline Graham Hansen’s strike saw her side draw 1-1 with the battling Blues, sealing their 2-1 semi-final win on aggregate. 
      Caroline Graham Hansen notched up her second goal of the tournament after scoring in the first leg of Barcelona’s semi-final clash ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Guro Reiten netted an equaliser at the Nou Camp with Chelsea hoping to take the game into extra timeCredit: Getty
      Barcelona’s 2-1 victory on aggregrate saw them reach their fourth Champions League finalCredit: Getty
      The visitors attempted to mount a fightback with Guro Reiten nabbing an equaliser in front of a crowd of over 72,000 at the Nou Camp. 
      But Graham Hansen’s goal was enough to end dreams of an all-English decider with Arsenal facing Wolfsburg in the second semi-final on Monday. 
      After the game Hayes said: “I can’t ask any more of our players. I said to them at the end we’re all proud to be Chelsea.
      “I think the better team lost. 
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      “We grew into the game and you have to expect in front of 70,000 people (in the stadium) that by not conceding early you give yourself a chance to grow. 
      “We did that and we got more aggressive and we created chances. I’m absolutely gutted. It’s hard when you lose when you care. 
      “I can’t think of anything else but the defeat and how much it pains me because our dressing room delivered everything we could have asked.”
      As expected of a side who have not lost at home since February 2018 Barcelona had the upper hand in attack early on. 
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      Some of their most threatening moments involved Aitana Bonmati and Graham Hansen.
      Hansen saw an eighth-minute finish disallowed following a handball before Oshoala blazed the ball over the bar shortly after. 
      And Bonmati prompted a classy Ann-Katrin Berger save with her 15th-minute cross fizzing dangerously in front of goal. 
      The Barca forward was a handful with her dummy in the box teeing up Mariona Caldentey for a shot over the bar on the half hour mark. 
      Chelsea’s efforts in the final third were restricted in the first spell. 
      But they had a few promising forays forward towards the first half’s closing stages with Reiten’s low cross almost finding Sam Kerr. 
      The second spell saw Graham Hansen become the Blues’ nemesis yet again with her second goal against them in this term’s tournament. 
      The forward, who scored in the first leg, latched on to a well-timed Bonmati pass to put Barca 1-0 up in the 64th minute. 
      But Chelsea refused to buckle with Reiten burying an equaliser three minutes later to give Hayes’ side a glimmer of hope.  
      Emma Hayes’ side return to WSL action next Wednesday with a game against Liverpool in the WSLCredit: Getty
      Later on Kerr saw a shot blocked before Berger parried away Salma Paralluelo’s strike with two minutes of normal time left. 
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       But Barca held out to book their place in the final for the third season in a row.
      A clash with the Gunners or Wolfsburg awaits them in Eindhoven in June. More

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      ‘This is not pressure. It’s a joy’, says Emma Hayes ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League battle with Barcelona

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      EMMA HAYES is not feeling the pressure as Chelsea prepare to battle Barcelona for a place in the Champions League final. And the Kingsmeadow boss criticised the rescheduling that has led to the men’s FA Cup final clashing with this term’s Women’s Champions League decider.
      Chelsea will face Barcelona at the Nou Camp with a crowd of more than 70,000 expected at the stadiumCredit: Reuters
      Emma Hayes side are aiming to reach the Women’s Champions League final for the second time since 2021Credit: Alamy
      Today’s game could see Barcelona ace Alexia Putellas back in action. The midfielder has been declared fit after being sidelined for 10 months with an ACL injuryCredit: Alamy
      Later today Hayes’ side will take to the field for a second-leg semis duel with Barcelona.
      An estimated 70,000-strong crowd is expected at the Nou Camp to watch the duel.
      The match, which kicks off at 5:45pm, comes five days after her WSL title-holders fell to a narrow 1-0 first-leg loss at Stamford Bridge. 
      The Chelsea chief, 45, said: “This is not pressure. Many people want to be sitting in a position that I’m sat in. 
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      “This is a joy to experience and take part in and something that we are working hard every day to do. 
      “We prepare for this (kind of) game with every training session, with every game that we play, not just this season, but every season.
      “I’m grateful to be in this position. I certainly don’t feel the pressure of it.” 
      Barcelona are seen as favourites to lift this year’s trophy with Hayes’ side having knocked out record tournament winners Lyon.
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      However the Blues’ boss reiterated her side are willing to suffer to fulfil their dream of reaching the final for the second time in two years.
      Hayes added: “For us as a team, it’s important for us to be calm, whether it’s moments that don’t go very well or where momentum is in favour of Barcelona. 
      “If an early goal comes (for us), fantastic but we’re focussing on getting the performance right, that’s what we have to nail.
      “Our mentality – I think for us as a team, it’s something we work out all of the time, not one game. 
      “And while there are very different things at stake, there’s a Champions League final at stake; the players need no motivation for that. 
      “But they definitely need all of the skills that have been developed over a long period of time to manage playing in front of a large crowd.
      “It’s going to be noisy with a team that we’re going to keep the ball for longer periods and we are this is a strength of our team. 
      “We are built to cope with these challenges and we like to suffer, so we’re as prepared as we possibly can be.”
      Should Chelsea emerge victorious they will face either Arsenal or Wolfsburg at the final in Eindhoven which kicks off at 4:00 pm local time in the Netherlands on Saturday 3 June. 
      However that game will now coincide with this year’s men’s FA Cup final between Manchester City and Man United.
      The Wembley encounter has been brought one hour forward to 3:00pm.
      Hayes added: “It’s always disappointing when these things happen. 
      “You’d like to think regardless of busy scheduling calendars that we can figure it out not to put them on the same day.”
      Chelsea’s and Barcelona’s duel also comes a day after the release of a European Club Association statement that could lead to disputes between clubs and national sides before the World Cup. 
      The ECA’s, whose members include WSL teams nsists national associations should “strictly adhere” to Fifa’s mandatory period for the release of players ahead of the World Cup. 
      The organisation flagged “serious concerns” over the “lack of rest” from early call-ups which it says “contravenes the protection of players’ health and wellbeing”. 
      It comes during a term in which several international pros in England’s top-flight and other European divisions have had their seasons curtailed by injury. 
      These include England’s Beth Mead and Leah Williamson and Holland’s record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema who sustained ACL injuries this term.
      In response to the statement Hayes said: “We have to reflect on the number of injuries that have taken place in the women’s game and say ultimately the duty of care we have to players. 
      “There’s a valid argument for sticking to (international) windows. 
      “There’s a reason and rationale to those windows especially in the last three years.
      Emma Hayes says the number of injuries within the women’s game needs to be considered in debates concerning international windowsCredit: Reuters
      “Players have had so little rest, maybe a couple of weeks at the end of the season. 
      “It’s not enough. I can’t speak for this upcoming tournament, I’m not involved in those decisions being made.
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      “But I do think that as the women’s game has progressed from the amateur game into the professional game there has to be more stringent restrictions on player welfare.”
      Barcelona vs Chelsea can be watched live today from 5:45 pm on DAZN’s YouTube channel. More

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      Jill Scott discusses coaching passion and observing Guardiola’s and Borrell’s work at Man City

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      JILL SCOTT has opened up on her passion for coaching and hailed Pep Guardiola’s emotional intelligence. The retired City and Lionesses ace is set to coach girls and boys coming up through the ranks at Manchester City. 
      Jill Scott described coaching as one of her big passions in an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap showCredit: Getty
      Scott, who won the Euros with England last July, has been discussing her plans to coach Manchester City academy playersCredit: AFP
      Scott says she took her nephews to watch a training session led by City’s Prem team boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA
      Scott, 36, revealed the experience of being coached at City opened up a whole new world of football to her
      The retired midfield ace was sharing her thoughts in an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap Show with Sky Bet. 
      And the former Citizens star admits she gets “a real buzz” from helping youngsters. 
      Scott, who helped the Lionesses win the 2022 Women’s Euros last July, told Neville: “Coaching is a big passion of mine – I love coaching. 
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      “I even did a grassroots session the other day and I had little six-year-olds checking their shoulder before receiving the ball.
      “I just get a real buzz out of helping people.
      “I’m going to be doing a bit of coaching at Manchester City, it got blew up a bit as if I’m going to be Pep Guardiola’s assistant. 
      “That’s the media world that we’re living in. It’s going to be coaching the girls and boys academy players. 
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      “In terms of the detail that Man City provide, it’s so interesting for me. 
      “It opened this whole new world of football and that was at the age of 26.
      “I’m excited about that, I’m obsessed with passing drills. 
      “Sometimes I’ll sit around on a Friday night watching old Bayern Munich passing drills on YouTube, looking at bits of detail. 
      “I know that’s my passion but I’m not ready yet to go into a full schedule of football.
      “I’ve watched some of Pep Guardiola’s sessions, I took my nephews along to watch a session.
      “I’ll be observing the academy training in the first few weeks and seeing how they work but it’s hard to learn from Pep because he’s always a genius in his own head.
      “Sometimes you can watch a coach who is very structured, but he’s very emotionally intelligent and you’ll see his session go one way and then he’ll change it.
      “There are some coaches you can follow and some who are just a genius in their own mind.
      “There’s a lot of coaches with good detail at the academy – the assistant of Pep, Rodolfo (Borrell) we had him coach us at the women’s team – he used to work at Barcelona.
      “I hung onto every word he said on receiving the ball in the pockets.
      “I’m excited, I’m going to go in there and ask as many questions as I can because I have a lot to learn.
      “I’m nowhere near a finished article of a coach but I know I’ll work hard to get better.”
      Scott, who retired last August, ended her playing career as the second-highest capped Lioness after Fara Williams.
      The versatile former midfielder notched up 161 senior appearances for the Lionesses.
      She also won nine major trophies during her 18-year club career.
      These include a Women’s Super League title, four FA Cups and three league cups during spells at City and Everton. 
      Since retirement Scott has gone on to be crowned winner of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here as well as pundit appearances on Sky Sports and ITV Sport. 
      In February she opened a new floodlit 3G football pitch at Perth Green Community Centre in Jarrow, five miles from her hometown in Sunderland. 
      The pitch, funded via a £500,000 Football Foundation grant, is supporting the development of football for women and girls as well as individuals living with disabilities. 
      Local teams who will use the space include Boldon CA Girls FC, the club where Scott began her career as a youth player. 
      Earlier this year Scott opened a new 3G pitch in Jarrow named in her honour
      Scott’s former coach Paul Smith who is the chairman of Boldon CA Girls FC said: “It’s been a good journey for Jill but it’s also been a good journey for myself and girls football in general in the area. 
      “I think if we had not done what we’ve done, I don’t think it (girls’ football) would be as big as it is now in the area.”
      Scott revealed she could not imagine football being a part of her life and says the joy of playing the game overrode the toughest moments she experienced on the pitch. 
      She added: “It was tough being a girl and wanting to play football. I got bullied quite a lot. 
      “I remember my first day at senior school – this lad was shouting at me, ‘you must be a boy because you play football’. 
      “I went to chase after him and his friend tripped me up and I smashed my elbow into three pieces.

      “When I look back, those moments were really tough.
      “I found it really hard to open up and say how I was feeling, because especially in those early moments in my career, we were taught, ‘don’t ever show that you’re disappointed’, ‘be strong’ and all that.
      Scott made 111 appearances for Manchester City during her nine-year spell at the clubCredit: PA
      “As I’ve got older, I’ve realised that the strongest people were the ones that showed emotion and said, ‘look I’m getting bullied, I’m struggling.’ 
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      “It was tough, but then with those moments where I picked up my football boots, training and playing football, I was just so happy.
      “That feeling overrode those other things.” More