Following Wednesday night’s 5-1 win over Lyon in which she scored a brace, Beth Mead spoke to journalists in the mixed zone. The first question is from Arseblog News.
On the game plan to expose the space behind the Lyon full-backs and Jonas’ instructions to her…
He spoke to me before the game and he said, ‘you have my blessing to go forward and get at people and if you don’t succeed, just go and do it again.’ As a forward player it’s nice to hear that sometimes, it really gives you the confidence to go and do what you are good at. They left spaces for us there tonight and we exploited them.
On the feeling in the dressing room after the game…
Not bad [chuckles]. No, it was an enjoyable game to play in. We did a lot right tonight. I don’t think a performance is ever perfect but I thought, on and off the ball, we were very good and we made it very hard for them to create anything.
🔥 Beth Mead's on fire, your defence is terrified 🔥#UWCL pic.twitter.com/oapph162jC
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 19, 2022
On her assist and her goals…
The assist, it’s something that we always work on in training so it was nice that I got a good ball across and Caitlin was there to finish it off. The free-kick, I think we were having a bit of a joke as to who was going to take it for a while, but yes I was feeling that one and it set up quite nicely for me to put in that corner. And then [for my 2nd goal] it was great ball-retention from Frida and a great ball for me to step on to and put in the back of the net.
On a week that saw her finish second in the Ballon D’Or and then win 5-1 at Lyon…
Yes, it ranks quite low to be honest, no I’m joking. Footballing wise it ranks pretty high. Really honoured to be nominated for the Ballon D’Or, never mind finishing second and yes, coming here against the Champions League champions and winning quite comfortably, you can’t get better than that.
On the difference between this season and last season, when Arsenal were beaten 4-0 by holders Barca on match day one…
I just think the team has developed from last season. We’ve learnt from a lot, and I think the character you can see is a lot different in the way we play, how brave we are on the ball, we believe in the system, we believe in the process that we’re doing and there’s a good understanding. We haven’t changed much from last season but the on-pitch understanding now is a lot better than it was.
On how the players felt before the game…
Do you know what, I think we were actually quite chilled about the game. There was no expectation on us this evening, and something you can relish in those moments. For us, we came out, played our football, played some good football, and we got our rewards tonight.
On scoring two quick fire goals at 3-1…
Teams can be vulnerable when they have just been scored against and tonight we did that, we scored straight away after the fourth, we exploited that.
Wow, slaughtered the best team in Europe! Great performance!!!
Terrific performance by the ladies; I was wowed!! Crisp passes; we didn’t lose the ball unnecessarily and pressured Lyon brilliantly! I’m SO happy today🤸♂️♥️! Onwards and upwards! COYG🎊🎉!!!
Wow. Not the result I was expecting to wake up to. Just watched the highlights. Tremendous
To do that without Rafaelle and Williamson is mind-blowing. Last night, Eidevall showed that he actually knows what he is doing. I was so impressed with the intelligence, calmness, and aggression on display. Long may it continue.
And take a bow, Laura Wienrother! Was wondering why Maritz was all of a sudden a bench player. But Laura showed her talent last night.
exactly what l was thinking
Great attitude from Beth and Co.