Arsenal Ladies returned to kind within the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Benfica, however the victory got here at a price as their harm listing continues to develop.
Picture by Alex Pantling/Getty Photographs
Already Manuela Zinsberger (ankle) and Anneke Borbe (sickness), and with Katie Reid sidelined by a decent groin, Renée Slegers noticed two extra defenders compelled off late within the match.
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Emily Fox left the pitch after a heavy problem that left her clutching her ankle, whereas Steph Catley appeared to undergo a hamstring drawback after making an attempt to play by discomfort earlier than signalling to get replaced.
The accidents took a number of the shine off what was in any other case an expert efficiency in Lisbon. Targets from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo secured an important win to get Arsenal’s European marketing campaign again on observe after final week’s defeat to OL Lyonnes.
“It was robust,” Mead informed ESPN. “Benfica are a really bodily group, they wish to get underneath your pores and skin.”
Arsenal dominated possession however struggled to interrupt down the hosts till the second half, when Mead reacted quickest to a free ball from Mariona Caldentey’s cross to power it over the road within the 57th minute. The win was sealed late on when Russo turned in a pleasant low Chloe Kelly free kick for her third objective in 4 video games.
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After the match, head coach Renée Slegers praised her aspect’s persistence and resilience. “A very good ambiance, nice stadium, nice pitch,” she . “It was a pleasant Champions League night time.
“The primary half, I feel we spent a variety of time of their half. We didn’t actually transfer the ball fast sufficient to create large possibilities with the possession we had, however I feel we did nicely out of possession and nullified their risk. We needed to keep affected person, work on the small print.
“I’m so pleased with the early objective within the second half, after which the vitality of the sport changers coming in, bringing new vitality, bringing new qualities. After which the second objective was very nice for us, after all. Coming from a set-piece, that was actually good,” Slegers added.
“Generally when these passes are given, we need to use them, so very well carried out by the set-piece coach and gamers to recognise that.”
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Regardless of the end result, Arsenal’s rising harm issues can be a priority forward of the subsequent stage of the season. With the worldwide break approaching, Slegers confirmed the subsequent two weeks can be used to regroup and reassess.
“Yeah, it’s at all times an enormous reflection second for us as a employees,” she stated. “Particularly the primary week, we are going to overview each pre-season and the primary block of video games. After which the second week, we are going to preview the subsequent block that’s arising.
“So it’s at all times a very good second for us. There’s loads of learnings and loads of vitality is constructed to start out the subsequent block once more.”
Reid is predicted to be match sufficient to journey with England throughout the break however we await information on the others.