Latest news with #Caldentey
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Mariona Caldentey elevated Arsenal on road to Champions League final
When Arsenal approached Mariona Caldentey in the summer of 2024, it was with occasions like Saturday's Women's Champions League final in mind. A three-time European champion with Barcelona, and a World Cup winner with Spain, the midfielder was seen as a figure with the talent, work ethic, charisma and trophy cabinet to help Arsenal to the next level. Her final game for Barcelona came in Bilbao, as they defeated Lyon to retain the Champions League. A year on, the last game of her first season at Arsenal will culminate in another Champions League final, this time against her former side. Just as Arsenal hoped, Caldentey has been pivotal to their run to their first Women's Champions League final since 2007. The 29-year-old scored in both legs of their semi-final victory over Lyon, as well as in the quarter-final comeback against Real Madrid. It seems so simple now, as if by design, but she has brought the winning mentality which resulted in 25 major titles during her 10 years with Barcelona. That feeling, Caldentey has said, is 'contagious'. 'Mariona is a winner in everything,' said the Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers. 'She is moving the culture forward.' Caldentey's first year in England, though, has not been without its challenges. If the signing of one of Spain's World Cup winners and one of the most successful players in Barcelona's recent dominance was a statement of intent from Arsenal at the start of the season, the first few weeks of their campaign brought a different reality. Jonas Eidevall was gone after just four games of the new Women's Super League season, and following a dismal 5-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stages. After a show of ambition, Arsenal were left trying to salvage something from their year. In truth, the arrival of Caldentey had also heightened expectations, with Arsenal wanting to match their progress off the pitch with improvements on it. Under Eidevall in the previous season, Arsenal had struggled against deep defences. Caldentey was a stylish midfielder who could quicken their pace and create some fluidity, but Eidevall's side continued to toil when tasked with breaking another team down. With Alessia Russo signed the year before, Eidevall had the pieces to build an attacking side, but they were too often too easy to slow down. In the end, it was the Swede who paid the price. What followed was a dramatic transformation under Slegers, who had been Eidevall's assistant. The Dutch coach made an immediate impact in terms of improving results, winning 11 of her first 12 games in charge and steering Arsenal into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but also in their style of play. Slegers had a good relationship with Arsenal's squad, who felt the pressure loosen as they started to click and hit their stride. In that initial 12-game unbeaten run, Arsenal also scored 36 goals. The league was gone, with Chelsea surging to the front under Sonia Bompastor and having the title all but wrapped up when they defeated Arsenal in late January. But there was still a major prize to contend for in the Champions League and Slegers had boosted Arsenal's chances considerably by recovering from that 5-2 defeat in Munich to win their next five games and qualify for the quarter-finals as group winners. That meant they would avoid Barcelona and Chelsea, and the draw had placed the continent's two strongest teams in the other half anyway. A chance to save the season had become a historic opportunity. By then, Slegers had also been appointed on a permanent basis, having impressed Arsenal with the manner in which she had turned their campaign around. The former Netherlands international, who retired from playing at the age of 29 due to injury, is composed on the touchline and her measured approach was particularly key in Arsenal's comeback against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. Having lost 2-0 in the first leg on a 'disgrace' of a pitch, Arsenal returned to the Emirates requiring a huge comeback. By half time, Arsenal had dominated but made their way back to the dressing room with nothing to show for it. Other teams may have panicked; Slegers told her players that a breakthrough was coming. 'We stayed calm,' Slegers said. Arsenal re-emerged to blitz Real Madrid by scoring three goals in 14 second-half minutes. It was a good night for Slegers in another sense. Russo scored twice to underline the huge steps the England striker has taken this season to improve her output and overall game. Chloe Kelly came away with two assists, with the smile back on her face and the confidence restored after a difficult first half of the season at Manchester City. Arsenal spotted an opportunity to sign the winger on loan in January and Kelly has returned to form. Slegers also worked out how to get the best out of Caldentey in her Arsenal team, after the Spaniard spent the first half of the season switching between the wings and No 10 without ever settling. In the second leg against Madrid, Slegers pulled Caldentey deeper into midfield alongside Kim Little and the former Barcelona star was irrepressible, leading the press off the ball and taking responsibility with it. Her influence in the team has grown since she was brought into the heart of it. And now Caldentey is a game away from where she was a year ago. In the comeback against Lyon in France, Arsenal were gifted a way back into the semi-final by their generous hosts, before Caldentey produced the moment of the tie with her curling shot from the edge of the box to give them the lead for the first time. It was the touch of class, alongside that winner's mentality to take the initiative, that Arsenal required. In Lisbon, she will face friends, former teammates and the club she signed for at the age of 18. Her decision to leave a dominant team was to experience something new – and now she is the example. 'What I learnt is talent is not enough,' Caldentey said of her time at Barcelona last month. 'You need to work hard, to be fit, to be ready for the battles. It's not easy and it takes time. It takes teamwork. That's what we are building now. I can feel it. We need to believe in what we are doing, in the Arsenal way. We are on the way.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🏆 WSL Player, Goal, Rising Star of the Season announced
Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey has won the Barclays Women's Super League Player of the Season award for a stellar debut campaign in England. The former Barcelona star has shone for the Gunners all season, scoring nine goals and assisting five in 21 WSL appearances. Introducing your 2024-25 #BarclaysWSL@BarclaysFooty Player of the Season winner... @ArsenalWFC's Mariona Caldentey 🏆 — Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 11, 2025 Caldentey has particularly impressed in the second half of the season, as Arsenal climbed the table to finish in second above both Manchester clubs. The Spain international netted eight goals and assisted four in 12 WSL appearances in 2025. West Ham forward Shekiera Martinez claimed the Rising Star award. The 23-year-old German forward has been prolific since joining the Hammers in January, netting 10 goals in 12 WSL games. The Goal of the Season award went to Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema for a bending strike that found the top corner against Aston Villa back in January. 📸 Tom Dulat - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
💫 UWCL: Arsenal produce comeback against Lyon; Barcelona stun Chelsea
All roads lead to the UEFA Women's Champions League final and the semi-final second legs are now complete! Both Chelsea and Arsenal needed to overturn deficits on aggregate against Barcelona and Lyon respectively to reach the final in Lisbon next month. Advertisement Here's how the second legs played out... Arsenal cruise past Lyon Scorers: Endler (OG) 5', Caldentey 45+1', Russo 46', Foord 63', Dumornay 81' In quite remarkable fashion, Arsenal produced a sensation comeback to defeat Lyon 4-1 (5-3 on aggregate). An own goal from Christiane Endler in the opening five minutes offered the Gunners a glimmer of hope, and Mariona Caldentey then made it 2-0 on the brink of half time. The second half display from Arsenal was even greater as Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord scored another two to put the result beyond doubt. Those goals provided the perfect margin as Melchie Dumornay pulled one back for Lyon in the final 10 minutes, but the French club had given themselves too much to do as Arsenal held on for the victory. Barcelona dismantle Chelsea to reach final Scorers: Bonmatí 25', Pajor 41', Pina 43', Paralluelo 90', Kaptein 90+1' Advertisement It was an afternoon to forget for Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea as they crashed to a 4-1 (8-2 on aggregate) defeat to Barcelona. The current holders simply had too much quality for Chelsea as Aitana Bonmatí fired them ahead to extend their aggregate lead in the opening 30 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Before the break, Ewa Pajor and Clàudia Pina also found the back of the net to crush any hope of a comeback for the London club. Chelsea very nearly kept Barcelona at arms length in the second half, but Salma Paralluelo scored the fourth at the end of the 90 minutes before Wieke Kaptein found a mere consolation for the hosts in added time. 📸 Catherine Steenkeste - 2025 Getty Images
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Matildas trio Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley reached Champs League final
Matildas trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross will play for the biggest prize in club football after helping Arsenal to a shock 4-1 win over Lyon in the second leg of their Women's Champion League semi-final to advance to next month's final against Barcelona. Foord scored the fourth goal to seal the victory for Arsenal as the Gunners shocked Lyon and denied their Matildas teammate Ellie Carpenter another trip to the Champions League final. Arsenal needed to overturn a 2-1 deficit following the first leg of the last-four clash against the record eight-time Champions League winners, and they levelled the tie on aggregate via goalkeeper Christiane Endler's early own goal. Spain star Caldentey then made it 2-0 for Arsenal on the day to put them ahead overall in first-half stoppage time, and the visitors ran away with the tie after the break. Alessio Russo scored just 27 seconds after the restart and Foord pounced on a calamitous defensive slip to get Arsenal's fourth goal. Melchie Dumornay, who scored Lyon's winner in the first leg last week, pulled one back for Lyon but it was too little too late for them as Arsenal held out to take the tie 5-3 on aggregate. Arsenal, who are second in the English Women's Super League behind Chelsea, will now face Barcelona in the final in Lisbon on May 24. The Catalans qualified earlier on Sunday with a 4-1 win away to Chelsea sealing an 8-2 aggregate triumph. Barcelona will be the overwhelming favourites as they head into the final looking to win the trophy for the third year running and fourth time overall. Arsenal won the competition in 2007 when it was still known as the UEFA Women's Cup, but they are now through to their first final since then. It is a remarkable achievement against a side that had won every game in the competition this season coming into the second leg, and who were aiming for their eighth final appearance in the last 10 years. Lyon held the advantage coming into the return in front of their own fans at the Groupama Stadium, which was nevertheless far from full for the occasion. They also had captain Wendie Renard back after injury and starting in central defence as the French international made her 500th appearance for the club. However, Lyon never really recovered from a dreadful start as they fell behind inside five minutes in bizarre circumstances. Damaris Egurrola tried to head away an Arsenal corner under pressure inside her own six-yard box, but only succeeded in playing the ball off goalkeeper Endler and in to put the visitors in front on the day. Caldentey then got the crucial second right at the end of the opening half, the former Barcelona player collecting a Russo lay-off and firing high into the net from the edge of the area. That meant Arsenal now held the lead in the tie, and they went further ahead right from the kick-off in the second half as England international Russo found herself through on goal and fired in. There was then no way back for Lyon when Arsenal got their fourth on 63 minutes, as Vanessa Gilles slipped when controlling a short pass out by Endler, allowing Australian star Foord to advance and beat the goalkeeper. Dumornay reduced the deficit inside the final 10 minutes but Lyon needed two more goals to level the tie again and Arsenal held on.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Euphoria' as Arsenal reach first European final in 18 years
Arsenal's exuberant and emotional celebrations at the full-time whistle in Lyon were 18 years in the making. That is how long it has been since the Gunners last contested a Champions League final and just six months ago doing so again looked like a pipe dream. Advertisement But following what has often been a tumultuous campaign, with poor results and a change of manager, all is well again in North London. Arsenal produced a magnificent comeback to win 4-1 against eight-time champions Lyon in France, overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit to reach the Champions League final where they will face holders Barcelona. It was an uncharacteristically poor performance from hosts Lyon, with an own goal in the opening five minutes setting the tone for a tough night. But Mariona Caldentey's superb strike was followed by goals from Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord, securing an impressive and deserved victory for the Gunners. Advertisement "We were unbelievable in a high-pressure moment against a top opponent," said boss Renee Slegers. "How calm we were - there's so much work put into this game, I'm so happy. "Delighted for everyone. Its euphoria, such a special moment. So happy and we need to celebrate these special moments but also stay humble and we get ready for the next one." Arsenal had 'perplexing' Lyon 'rattled' Some 500 Arsenal fans made the trip to Lyon for the semi-final [Getty Images] It has been a long journey to the final for Arsenal. From round one of qualifying against Rangers back in September to now, they have played in 14 Champions League matches this season. No team has ever done so in this format. Advertisement With Chelsea looking set to lift the Women's Super League title for a sixth consecutive year, Arsenal seemed in danger of fizzling out. Instead, they have managed to do what Chelsea could not - overturn a first-leg deficit against top European opposition to reach the Champions League final. Granted, Lyon were not at their best in what boss Joe Montemurro called a "perplexing" and "inexplicable" performance. But Arsenal capitalised on that and were able to assert some dominance to win a two-legged European semi-final away from home for the first time. The outpouring of emotion at full-time from Arsenal's veteran player Kim Little, who turns 35 in June, said it all. Advertisement Alongside Spaniard Caldentey in midfield, Little dominated - controlling the game in attack and defence with her silky passes and tricky footwork. "I can't believe she's still playing at this level and getting better and better. It's because of her attitude and application," former Chelsea forward Karen Carney said on TNT Sports. "Her and Caldentey's relationship - having the licence to go and attack, using her body, her calmness keeping the ball. "When she got emotional at the end, I've never seen that. She's a classy player and person." Spurred on by their 500 or so travelling fans, who had been allocated a section on their own high up in the top tier of the 60,000-capacity stadium, Arsenal were clinical, scoring four goals from their six shots on target. Advertisement "I think we played really well and created the momentum," said Foord, who scored their fourth goal. "We finished our chances, which is so important. We won the ball higher up in crucial areas and I think we rattled them a bit. We got them in good areas and finished our chances." Slegers announces herself on big stage England duo Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo have looked rejuvenated under Renee Slegers [Getty Images] The last time Arsenal reached the Champions League final, Slegers was playing in the Gunners' academy. Eighteen years later, the former midfielder will become just the second Arsenal women boss to lead out the team in the final of Europe's top competition. The 36-year-old says she can't remember much about the 2006-07 campaign which saw Arsenal win a historic quadruple, but recalls watching the final on television. Advertisement "I remember back then there were very few role models, I couldn't watch much on football on TV in the Netherlands. I came to England and saw them training and seeing them perform in the Champions League was very inspiring," she said. Just seven months on from replacing Jonas Eidevall, then as interim boss, and four months on from being appointed permanently, Slegers has completely turned Arsenal's fortunes around. In a season of change and at times turmoil, she has managed to not only steady the ship but also do what Eidevall could not: get the best out of a squad that, on paper, has long looked ready-made for success. "If you look back at the early parts of the season, Arsenal had some really difficult moments, certainly when Eidevall was in charge," said former England midfielder Fara Williams on TNT Sports. Advertisement "Slegers has given them something different. You've seen a real shift in the players. "They've been the strongest WSL team of late. They were phenomenal today." Russo had scored just one goal and registered one assist in the first nine games of this season but is now Arsenal's top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions. Chloe Kelly has also proved a revelation. Struggling for minutes at Manchester City she had looked almost down and out, but a January move to the Gunners has reinvigorated her and she looks back to her best. "The manager has been a revelation," said Carney. "I'm thrilled for them. Arsenal are back now. I really hope they win it." Toughest task awaits Arsenal Mariona Caldentey (left) joined Arsenal last summer from Barcelona [Getty Images] Arsenal may have twice come back from first-leg defeats to win ties against Real Madrid and now Lyon, getting their tactics right at the second time of asking, but their toughest task - against Barcelona in the final - awaits. They know they will have to get it right first time. Advertisement The holders have contested five of the past six Champions League finals, winning three of them, while their two defeats came against Lyon. "It's going to be a tough game, a final, anything can happen," said Foord. "We look forward to it. It's an exciting moment for us, so just can't wait to take them on." A big challenge but one that could be made easier by Arsenal's former Barca player Caldentey, who has lifted the trophy three times with her former club. The 29-year-old's experience and know-how shone through against Lyon and she could be seen directing her team-mates throughout the match, dictating where the ball should go. Advertisement She has popped up with key goals in key moments, scoring the goal that put Arsenal ahead in the tie in France, her eighth goal in her past 11 Champions League appearances for Arsenal. Carney said Caldentey is currently "the best player in the WSL" but Arsenal know they will need more than just one world-class performance to get past world-beaters Barcelona.
