Manager Rene Sleggers expressed his pride in Arsenal’s resilient 2-1 comeback victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League, highlighting the team’s composure under pressure.
The Gunners entered this match following a disappointing phase, including a 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich last week.
Caroline Weir scored first for Madrid with a remarkable volley just before halftime, but Arsenal responded strong in the second half, netting two goals from Alessia Russo via headers.
Reflecting on the match, Sleggers told Disney Plus: “I’m proud of the team. Falling behind 1-0 from a set piece just before halftime isn’t ideal, but everyone stayed composed. The coaching staff, players, and I discussed some key points in the locker room.”
“I’m really pleased with how calm the players were on the field during the second half, especially given the pressure we faced leading into this game.”
Goalscorer Russo was thrilled to return to her winning form. “It was a crucial win for us. While our previous result wasn’t what we hoped, it was vital to get a positive outcome in the Champions League tonight. I’m really pleased,” she said.
Weir conveyed her disappointment with Real Madrid’s performance after suffering their first defeat of the tournament. “I’m happy to have scored, but one goal wasn’t sufficient. We needed a bit more in the second half,” said the Scotland international. “We created a few more opportunities, but Arsenal remained competitive and came back to score twice.”
“It’s a bit disappointing. I believe we played well, but it simply wasn’t enough tonight. Facing a top team like Arsenal is always a challenge.”
Following this match, Arsenal sits in 9th place in the league with 6 points, while Madrid occupies 6th place with 7 points.
Fan Take: This match highlights the unpredictability and excitement of the Champions League, showing that even when a team is under pressure, they can rise to the occasion. For soccer fans, these moments demonstrate why they love the sport—anything can happen, and every match can change the standings dramatically.
