Renée Slegers says she is “very excited” ahead of Sunday’s FIFA Women’s Champions Cup final against Corinthians, with the prospect of lifting a trophy at Arsenal Stadium adding extra significance to the occasion.
Renée Slegers says the opportunity to contest the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup final at Arsenal Stadium makes Sunday’s meeting with Corinthians a moment the squad are relishing, after both sides came through contrasting semi-finals in midweek.
The Brazilian champions booked their place with a narrow 1-0 win over Gotham FC at Brentford Stadium, while Arsenal delivered a dominant performance of their own, scoring six unanswered goals against AS FAR to reach the final.
The result set up a meeting between the continental champions, with silverware on the line in N5.
Speaking ahead of the game, Slegers reflected on what it would mean to lift a trophy at the club’s home ground after navigating a competition featuring champions from across the world.
“Very special of course, in this competition,” she said, “competing against the champions of other continents, we had to earn the right to get into the final and I think the team did that brilliantly the other night.
“So very excited about the final, we look forward to it and it’s a special moment for us.”
The build-up has also prompted discussion around longevity at the top level, following the decisive semi-final goal scored by Gabi Zanotti, who is four years older than Slegers herself. Asked about players continuing to perform into their late thirties and beyond, the Arsenal head coach drew parallels with figures within her own squad.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I wish I could have done it! Unfortunately, my body didn’t want to. It says something, you have to have the right things on your path, of course, but everything is in their minds.
“If I compare that to Kim Little in our team, she does everything 110%. There’s nothing less. She takes care of herself so well. She prepares so well. So, I think it’s here [in the mind]. But you also have to have the love that your body wants to do what your mind wants to do as well.
“But, no, it’s really impressive. She [Gabi Zanotti] scores that winner in the semi-final. It says a lot about the mindset of the player.”
With the final now looming, Slegers and her players turn their focus to the task of overcoming Corinthians, aiming to convert excitement into success and add another trophy in front of a home crowd.