Renee Slegers reveals tactical masterstroke behind Arsenal’s Champions League win
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Arsenal manager Renee Slegers revealed she had a feeling Stina Blackstenius would deliver the decisive blow in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final—minutes before the Swedish striker scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Barcelona to crown the Gunners European champions for the first time in 18 years.
The 74th-minute strike came after a perfectly timed through-ball from fellow substitute Beth Mead, a combination Slegers later admitted she had playfully forecast.
“I was joking with Beth after the game,” Slegers told DAZN. “I was like, ‘I told you, give the ball to Stina and she will score.’”
She added, “No, it’s not that easy. You do everything you can, you make decisions all the time—players on the pitch and also on the sidelines. Getting the timing right is crucial. But all the credit goes to the players. The way they handled this occasion was superb.”
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With the victory, Arsenal remain the only English club to have ever lifted the Women’s Champions League trophy, repeating their historic 2007 feat that was part of a famous quadruple-winning season.
Saturday’s final in Lisbon was the culmination of an extraordinary European campaign under Slegers, who took over as interim head coach in October following the departure of Jonas Eidevall. The 36-year-old Dutchwoman has since rejuvenated the squad, inspiring a dramatic turnaround and restoring belief within the team.
Our Renée ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0YNF6EELRn
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
Multiple players have credited Renee Slegers with helping them rediscover their passion for the game, and she has now repaid the club’s faith with one of the most coveted prizes in world football.
Arsenal showed resilience and tactical maturity in the final, staying composed even after an early Barcelona own goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. The Gunners held their nerve as the reigning champions pressed forward, with Claudia Pina rattling the crossbar shortly after the break in what proved to be one of Barcelona’s best chances.
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Slegers’ side reached the final after a remarkable run, knocking out the last nine combined Champions League winners along the way. They stunned eight-time champions Lyon in the semi-finals, overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit with a stunning 4-1 win in France to advance 5-3 on aggregate.
Reflecting on the team’s journey and growth, Slegers praised the unity and determination that have become the hallmarks of her side.
“I think Arsenal have always led the way since the beginning,” she said. “This club has worked so hard, and now we’re seeing the results of that. This season, you could see the signs of a winning team. You struggle together, you suffer together, and you find ways to win.”
“In those critical, high-pressure moments, we’ve delivered—and that’s what champions do.”
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