Arsenal go face Lyon for di first leg of di UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final dis weekend, but dem go miss two key players: Beth Mead and Steph Catley.
Mead na attacker wey dey out, and Catley still dey injured, so her absence put more attention on Leah Williamson, wey just return from injury. Williamson, wey be England captain, don play her first minutes for more dan one month during di recent international matches. Dis timing fit be crucial for Arsenal defence as dem dey try to defend di European title.
On di other side, Lyon dey prepare well under di guidance of coach Jonatan Giraldez, wey don bring new energy to di team. According to Sofie Svava, wey play for Lyon, Giraldez dey focus on possession and quick ball recovery. She say: ‘You fit clearly see im ideas of play.’ Svava, wey be Danish international, remember say she don face Giraldez before when he dey coach Barcelona. She say: ‘He be excellent coach, and Barcelona dey very performant. After almost one year with am, I feel we dey progress for di right direction. He dey very demanding, and dat na good thing.’
Korbin Shrader, wey join from PSG, also talk say Giraldez dey very passionate about football. She say: ‘After training, he organize small challenges, like to touch di crossbar. He dey very attentive to details, very confident, and he love football. And dat confidence dey pass to di team.’ Shrader add say Giraldez make her ‘want to play with assurance’ because e dey really motivating.
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