Champions League: Arsenal – FC Zurich: dream goal in London – but the really big coup paradise the FCZ women
Dream goal in London – but the really big coup in paradise was the FCZ women
The Zurich women control Arsenal’s world selection with 1: 3. They valiantly defend themselves against the big favorites.
There is the reception of the ball with the chest. Perfect. The drop kick under the bar. Wonderful. And then the exuberant celebration of FC Zurich over this dream goal by Seraina Piubel. It is FCZ’s first in a group stage of the Women’s Champions League. And it briefly brings Zurich hope to the Arsenal FC stadium. It is only 1: 2 from the point of view of the FCZ. Is the favorite now tumbling?
Doesn’t he come. It took just two minutes for Arsenal to regain the lead with Lina Hurtig’s second goal of the evening and secure the home win. Arsenal lead the group with two wins from two games. The FCZ remains without points after the 0: 2 against Juventus Turin. And yet he can make his way home with a lot of good feelings.
The Zurich women meet in London for a world selection. Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall makes seven changes compared to the league win over Liverpool. He also has nine national team players on the field. Among them the Swiss Noelle Maritz in the back right. Lia Wälti, captain of the Swiss national team, takes it easy on Eidevall this evening.
The hearts on the lawn
Given these opponents, there is only one for the FCZ. “We have to leave our hearts on the lawn,” says Inka Grings before the game. And their players do just that. They don’t freeze in the face of the stadium built for 60,000 people. Nor are they unduly in awe of this Arsenal, who made a statement at the start of the Champions League with a 5-1 win over the holders Lyon.
It only takes 35 seconds for left-back Naomi Mégroz to break through. In the middle, Fabienne Humm had a similar chance as in the 121st minute with the national team against Wales. But unlike in Letzigrund, she doesn’t get the ball ideally. Missed the chance to shake up the favorites.
Of course it doesn’t continue in this style. Arsenal now has the ball, Zurich defends in an orderly 4-4-2, and Inka Grings directs her team non-stop. She will like that her FCZ is not crushed. How their players keep breathing and self-confidence with small scenes.
Humm chases the balls and provokes free kicks. Laura Vetterlein hits everything she has in central defense. Viktoria Pinther and Kim Dubs provide relief with dribbling. It is a passionate performance by the FCZ, and a clever one too. But none is without flaws. The London lead in the 38th minute goes through as a stronger attack. The second goal is annoying from FCZ’s point of view because Eleni Markou dribbles in her own penalty area shortly before the break instead of threshing the ball wide. It’s scenes like this that the women of Zurich have to learn from. The tasks don’t get any easier. Next up is Olympique Lyon.
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