Arsenal Women eased through to the Champions League Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Fiorentina at Meadow Park on Thursday evening, culminating in a 6-0 aggregate victory. Tim Stillman caught up with Gunners winger Lisa Evans after the game, exclusively for Arseblog News.
On the psychological approach to the game with a 4-0 first leg lead…
When the draw is made, you think in terms of the 180 minutes, so we had to just put what happened in Italy behind us and start again at 0-0. We needed to manage the game at times, we’ve got another massive game at the weekend against Brighton so the Champions League is all about game management. So we wanted to try and keep the ball tonight and not get into sloppy situations so we can recover well for Sunday.
On playing at right-back again…
It’s a wee bit different, but I have played there a lot now so I know the position and the girls around me make it much easier. I’m not really concerned about whether I play right wing or right-back, I will play anywhere to do a job for this team.
On the contributions of Jill Roord and Jen Beattie…
You can see they’ve really settled in now, as have Manu and Leonie, I think it’s only a matter of time before it all starts knitting together and you see the best of us. The best is yet to come from us this season, it’s probably been a bit slow to start with and with new players coming in it does take time to adjust to a new team and we’re all getting used to each other, but you can see it’s starting to come together now.
Last 16 my G @Katie_McCabe11 ?⚽️❤️ https://t.co/K4Tm6voGR3
— Lisa Evans (@LisaEvans_17) September 26, 2019
On Jordan Nobbs and Lia Wälti playing more minutes…
It’s absolutely massive for us, they are both a huge part of this team. Jordan is the vice-captain and Lia started pretty much every game before she got injured in January, two really important players and it’s massive that we have them back now. This squad hasn’t been the biggest, but having those two players back means we can rotate a little more, in terms of players and formations. They are two top class footballers.
On preparing for a quick turnaround against Brighton on Sunday…
It’s all about rest, recovery, eat and sleep as much as we can! It’s difficult after evening games, I really struggle to get my head down and sleep. We have training later tomorrow so we all get a chance to get some sleep. It’s about the small, 1% stuff, the protein shakes, carbs, recovery boots, physio, massage, all of that stuff is a big part of our preparation now.
On the prospect of playing her former club Bayern in the next round…
Well, we’ve a lot of ex-Bayern players here so that would be special, but we’ll take on anyone. We’re really looking forward to the draw and it’s our first time back in the Champions League for a while so whoever we get we’re gonna enjoy it. It’s a massive October for us with the next round and we’ve got Chelsea and City too and we’re really looking forward to it. Whoever we get, we’ll give it everything.
? Yet another @UWCL goal for @VivianneMiedema…
2️⃣ games
3️⃣ goals
1️⃣ assist pic.twitter.com/JnSSBDT6xb— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 26, 2019
Wasn’t a great spectacle but a thoroughly professional performance by our girls. Did exactly what was needed and looked comfortable throughout. Was really willing one of Jordan’s shots to burst the net as she is looking fitter than ever. Just hope she can avoid injury this season. Surprised the Italians didn’t make more of a match of it but then playing the WSL Champions away from home needing 5 goals was not inspirational for them I guess! Impressed with Louise in the commentary box last night. Perhaps that is a career for her after hanging up her boots. She was… Read more »
Here´s one hoping for a draw with the Icelandic team Breidablik. Would be awfully nice to see an Arsenal team here on the land of fire and ice
Unfortunately we can’t draw them cos Arsenal arecalso unseeded.
Never know the European powers that be might give you a final one season.
It is easier to travel to than Baku!
Are all the fields in Iceland artificial turf? I’m guessing they are, but I seem to recall seeing a couple of minutes of a mass there a couple of years ago that was on a grass field. Is that possible?