Arsenal vs Barcelona: Women’s Champions League final – Renee Slegers’ side enter tie as underdogs but with strength of belief they can upset holders | Football News

Saturday includes completion of contracts for making arsenal.

The last time the club appeared in the Women’s Champions League final was in 2007.

Apple has just provided iPhone to the world. Gordon Braun Tony Blair replaced as prime minister. Manchester United was dominating the Premier League. Events that feel like for life, because they were.

Arsenal has carried a lot of wrong dawn and close to mistakes since European Zenith. She spent some campaigns outside the Continental competition completely. But now Gunners has returned to the largest stage they plan to attack the game in Lisbon with “no fear”.

And why not? In a campaign where Arsenal has already turned against the first record deficit in three different relations, why are it not bold, bold and courageous enough for a dream? Why does Barcelona not consider any other competitor, and this, the football top for the club, like any other game?

If Arsenal has dwarfed through this occasion or the strength of their opponent, they do not dare to show it. Since René Solgans, the North London residents have criticized the day of the second match of this competition, accusing some teams and fighting against others.

“The smooth sailing was not at all,” Slegers admitted. “We have really made magic things and really good things under very high pressure. I think this indicates what we can do.”

They fought from 2-0 to the bottom against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, and even amazingly, from 2-1 to bottom against Lyon in the last four, only to win the right to compete for the final. Now it is not the right time to panic or doubt, it is an opportunity to sunnah in the glory of victory.

team's goal during the semi -finals of the Women's Champions League, the second football match, Olympic match Leoneos and Arsenal at the OL stadium in Recions, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)"/>

Speak exclusively to Sky Sports This week, Katie Mcabi, the creative defender, revealed her plans to do so exactly. “We go to Lisbon to win. We have no fear,” she said.

“We have to respect Barcelona; they won three of the last four finals. The football they played against Chelsea [in the semi-final] The chapter was, but we are not afraid of any team. “

Nothing what Maccabi says is just a letter or an introduction. Arsenal believes, although the main power in Europe, or perhaps because of it, believes that they can make an offer at Estadio Jose alvalade. Only to compete will require performance on the limits with perfection. To overcome the Liga F giants, there may be any team that has not run any team since the day of the match, it may need something more divine.

Since its 2-0 loss in Manchester City, Barcelona won nine games in a row in the Champions League, including 4-1 successes at home to Chelsea. The task of demolishing was 8-2 as a clear indication of the size of the task, and a wise reminder of the abundant art on the Spanish side. It is one goal less than the 45th competition score record, set by Wolfsburg in 2013-14.

However, there was a clear positive arsenal that could gather from Chelsea watching heavily: it was not. Barcelona rarely looks at risk in 180 minutes because – and perhaps even Macapi will give up this – it is without glasses during the session. No living team can be in its comprehensive quality across the legs, not even the Local Prize Chelsea.

This is why the bearers appear in their sixth finals seven years, and fifth, respectively, in a row.

So some imagination is necessary. Arsenal should see the pictures and the results that its opponents cannot. They should play with pure intuition, with autonomy, and focus on their own weapons, supported by the fact that this is not a legs of legs but it is distinguished for 90 minutes.

Statistically – this is the addition of the relevant context, if not much encouragement – it was in fact the worst campaign in Barcelona since 2018-19, with a defeat in the league and one to Man City in the group stage. At one time, Real Madrid threatened to arrest them in the title race before he started reality and made any proposal to a different conclusion that seems ridiculous.

How, then, Arsenal begins to participate?

Well, their midfield has been greatly strengthened by a player who appeared in all the five previous finals in Barcelona: Mariona Calinte. It is called “total football”. It excels in almost every creative category – a player sliding without effort through the football field and can harm you from all angles. She has strengthened her contribution and re -calibrating what Arsenal could be in the last third.

Likewise, Alicia Rousseau was a beacon of Arsenal’s power in the front areas. The network has found eight times in Europe this term (including the qualifiers) and inspired the unforgettable return against Real Madrid with two decisive strikes. 12 WSL goals are a decent balance as well, which is enough to earn a golden shoe for this year.

CALDENTEY and Russo were also on the target when Gunners cleared Lyon 4-1 in France in late April, and both give VERVE and spices the Arsenal attack, recycling and feeding each other.

Then there is a need to be unexpected. Almost but random at the same time. Fixed in an accurate structure, it is difficult to collapse, but also with a free play license. Two Maher players in Chloe Kelly and Citelin Ford. Arsenal has a full set of technical ability of Wide if each of them can reach the right heights.

Even so, even if all these things happen, Barcelona is still a golden team. The strength of the stars is unparalleled.

The signs of Ewa Pajor for fun, Aitana Bonmati does not exceed the comparison in the midfield – there is a reason that the individual game prizes monopolize in recent years. Her maestro against Chelsea alone was sufficient to ensure a third consecutive balloon. There is little to add about the brilliance of Renascent Alexia Putellas.

Maccabi also recognizes, “We must realize their strengths, and they have strengths everywhere,” but Arsenal will not, and they should not, to curb these forces.

I have served the weak sign well so far. They enter the final on Saturday under the same sign.

Participation is a victory in itself. The victory really will be great.