Latest news with #MarionaCaldentey
The Standard
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Standard
Arsenal to play all WSL home games at Emirates Stadium
Soccer Football - Women's Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Arsenal v Olympique Lyonnais - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - April 19, 2025 Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo
The Star
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Arsenal to play all WSL home games at Emirates Stadium
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Arsenal v Olympique Lyonnais - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - April 19, 2025 Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo (Reuters) -Arsenal will play all 11 of next season's Women's Super League home matches at Emirates Stadium, and the club will offer season tickets for the first time, they said on Tuesday. The newly crowned Champions League winners, who have recorded some of the largest crowds in women's football, made the Emirates their main stadium last season, averaging 34,110 fans in the nine WSL games they played there. "For us, this is just the beginning, and bringing every WSL match to the Emirates is another step for more supporters to be part of this special journey," Arsenal coach Renee Slegers said. Arsenal, who defeated Barcelona 1-0 last month to win their first Champions League title in 18 years, still plan to play at Meadow Park, Borehamwood in the Women's Champions League league phase, as well as FA Cup and League Cup games. If they qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, those matches would take place at the 60,704-capacity Emirates. Arsenal recorded a 20% increase in ticket sales for the 2024-25 season over the previous year, selling more than 415,000 tickets. (Reporting by Lori Ewing, editing by Ed Osmond)
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mariona: We knew Arsenal could do it against Barcelona
The ex-Barcelona playmaker set the tempo and delivered in both directions as Arsenal beat the odds to end Catalan dominance in Europe. Photo byMariona Caldentey said Arsenal's second-ever Women's Champions League title was a result of belief, hard work and knowing exactly what it would take to beat her former club, Barcelona. Advertisement Arsenal had less possession and fewer chances in Lisbon, but made theirs count. 'We knew we could do it and we did,' Caldentey said after the 1–0 win. 'We defended well and played a bit on the counter, which is not our style, but we knew that was what would help us to win.' Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal after a smart move Caldentey helped set up. She held the ball on the edge of the area, waited for the right moment, then found Beth Mead with a square pass, who slid a beautiful reverse ball through for the Swede to finish. It was exactly the kind of cool-headed play Arsenal needed. Photo byIt was an emotional night for Caldentey, who left Barcelona last summer after 10 years to join Arsenal. She played further back than usual and spent much of the game closing down space for Aitana Bonmatí, who couldn't believe Barcelona lost, and Patri Guijarro, but still found the moments to influence the match. Advertisement 'To play against Barcelona and these players is very difficult,' she said. 'We suffered a lot.' But Arsenal's discipline and organisation saw them through, with Renee Slegers' side managing the game smartly once ahead. Caldentey, already a three-time Champions League winner with Barcelona, lifted the trophy for a fourth time – but this one clearly meant something different. Photo byNamed WSL Player of the Season, her quality all season has been undeniable despite it being her first in England, scoring 16 and assisting seven in the league and Champions League. And with Spain heading into the Euros this summer, she looks set to be just as important for her country. Advertisement The final whistle brought wild celebrations from Arsenal, and quiet reflection from Caldentey, who went to comfort her old teammates. Photo by'There are no secrets with Barça,' she had said before the game. 'You know what they're going to do, but the difficult part is how you stop them.' On the biggest stage of all, Arsenal, and Caldentey, did exactly that.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona seemed destined for a third straight Champions League triumph. What went wrong?
While Arsenal celebrated their second Women's Champions League title with their fans in one corner, Barcelona's players looked out at the stands as their fans cheered them, offering warmth but no consolation. It brought back memories of the 2022 final in Turin, when Barcelona arrived feeling like favourites but ended up losing to Lyon. This time, they entered the match aiming for a third successive Champions League title and fourth overall. Advertisement And yet, when referee Ivana Martincic signalled the end of the match, it was Arsenal who were celebrating. Esmee Brugts collapsed to the ground, trying to take in what had happened. Ingrid Engen cried inconsolably after what will be her final European match for Barca. The camera immediately focused on Aitana Bonmati, who was inconsolable, covering her face with her hands. Her nails were painted red with touches of blue, the colours of her team. While Arsenal celebrated, Mariona Caldentey distanced herself from the celebrations and went to comfort her former team-mates. The Mallorcan had just won her third consecutive Champions League title — the previous two with Barca and this one with Arsenal — and this had been the most difficult match of her life, given an association with Barca that lasted for a decade. Advertisement She saw Bonmati, who was crying uncontrollably, and hugged her. It was one of the defining images of the night. 'We're devastated, in shock. We weren't able to play our game. We're in a bad way,' Alexia Putellas told TV3 from the pitch at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. 'Today will be tough. You look at the stands and you don't understand how this could have happened.' In this final, Barcelona were playing their 100th UEFA Women's Champions League match. Curiously, they were doing so against the same opponent they played in their first game. In 2012-13, that match ended 3-0 to Arsenal, with the English side winning 7-0 on aggregate in the round of 32. All these years later, the Catalan club had all the odds in their favour: they had played in the past five Champions League finals, winning two in a row, in addition to beating Chelsea in 2021. Their squad includes the winners of the past four Ballons d'Or, Putellas (2021, 2022) and Bonmati (2023, 2024). Advertisement Pere Romeu's team are the best in Spain and have been the best in Europe over a sustained period. They are one of the leading lights in women's football worldwide. Their Champions League campaign gave cause for optimism going into the final. They had lost only one game, the first, against Manchester City. Since then, they scored 26 goals in the group stage and conceded only one. In the quarter-finals, they eliminated Wolfsburg with a 10-2 aggregate score, and in the semi-finals they thrashed Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate. However, none of that translated onto the pitch. So what happened? What went wrong? Advertisement Barca were unrecognisable from the team we know they can be. Arsenal managed to neutralise their midfield. They could not find Patri Guijarro, Putellas or Bonmati, the three players who create their play and through whom the moves flow. There were a lot of rushed passes, especially from Irene Paredes, although this also happened to Arsenal in the first half and Barca could not get the best out of Salma Paralluelo or Claudia Pina in attacking areas. Goalkeeper Cata Coll was undoubtedly Barca's player of the match. She prevented Arsenal from taking the lead in the first half, tipping a long-range shot from Frida Maanum onto the crossbar. In the second half, Barca were better but, perhaps in their best moment of the match, Arsenal scored and the goal changed the game. Barca lacked ideas and the ability to react and were unable to score. Advertisement 'The second half was better, we were constantly in the opposition's half,' said Romeu in his post-match press conference. 'We had to attack a defence that was already very crowded. I think that in our play out wide we weren't very clear about our crosses. 'They cleared several balls because they feel uncomfortable in this kind of aerial play and we weren't very clinical in picking up the second balls after the crosses. I think that's one of the mistakes we made.' Sometimes football can seem unfair. This may seem like a failure, but is not normal for a team to win everything all the time, to be in five consecutive Champions League finals and win them all. 'I don't think people should focus only on this match, because it doesn't justify the great season the team has had and is still having,' Romeu said. 'I think the measure of a team's competitiveness is how many games you play at the end of the season, and we made it to the last game of the Champions League.' Advertisement 'Deep down, I think this will make us stronger next season,' Bonmati told TV3 while still on the pitch, her eyes swollen from crying. 'We'll learn. I know that whenever we lose, I come out and say this,' Putellas added on TV3. It is true they always say it, but it is also true they always do it. You would not bet against a different outcome next season. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Barcelona, La Liga, NWSL, UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Barcelona seemed destined for a third straight Champions League triumph. What went wrong?
While Arsenal celebrated their second Women's Champions League title with their fans in one corner, Barcelona's players looked out at the stands as their fans cheered them, offering warmth but no consolation. It brought back memories of the 2022 final in Turin, when Barcelona arrived feeling like favourites but ended up losing to Lyon. This time, they entered the match aiming for a third successive Champions League title and fourth overall. Advertisement And yet, when referee Ivana Martincic signalled the end of the match, it was Arsenal who were celebrating. Esmee Brugts collapsed to the ground, trying to take in what had happened. Ingrid Engen cried inconsolably after what will be her final European match for Barca. The camera immediately focused on Aitana Bonmati, who was inconsolable, covering her face with her hands. Her nails were painted red with touches of blue, the colours of her team. While Arsenal celebrated, Mariona Caldentey distanced herself from the celebrations and went to comfort her former team-mates. The Mallorcan had just won her third consecutive Champions League title — the previous two with Barca and this one with Arsenal — and this had been the most difficult match of her life, given an association with Barca that lasted for a decade. She saw Bonmati, who was crying uncontrollably, and hugged her. It was one of the defining images of the night. 'We're devastated, in shock. We weren't able to play our game. We're in a bad way,' Alexia Putellas told TV3 from the pitch at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. 'Today will be tough. You look at the stands and you don't understand how this could have happened.' In this final, Barcelona were playing their 100th UEFA Women's Champions League match. Curiously, they were doing so against the same opponent they played in their first game. In 2012-13, that match ended 3-0 to Arsenal, with the English side winning 7-0 on aggregate in the round of 32. All these years later, the Catalan club had all the odds in their favour: they had played in the past five Champions League finals, winning two in a row, in addition to beating Chelsea in 2021. Their squad includes the winners of the past four Ballons d'Or, Putellas (2021, 2022) and Bonmati (2023, 2024). Pere Romeu's team are the best in Spain and have been the best in Europe over a sustained period. They are one of the leading lights in women's football worldwide. GO DEEPER The Athletic's end-of-season awards, 2024-25: Women's football Their Champions League campaign gave cause for optimism going into the final. They had lost only one game, the first, against Manchester City. Since then, they scored 26 goals in the group stage and conceded only one. In the quarter-finals, they eliminated Wolfsburg with a 10-2 aggregate score, and in the semi-finals they thrashed Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate. Advertisement However, none of that translated onto the pitch. So what happened? What went wrong? Barca were unrecognisable from the team we know they can be. Arsenal managed to neutralise their midfield. They could not find Patri Guijarro, Putellas or Bonmati, the three players who create their play and through whom the moves flow. There were a lot of rushed passes, especially from Irene Paredes, although this also happened to Arsenal in the first half and Barca could not get the best out of Salma Paralluelo or Claudia Pina in attacking areas. Goalkeeper Cata Coll was undoubtedly Barca's player of the match. She prevented Arsenal from taking the lead in the first half, tipping a long-range shot from Frida Maanum onto the crossbar. In the second half, Barca were better but, perhaps in their best moment of the match, Arsenal scored and the goal changed the game. Barca lacked ideas and the ability to react and were unable to score. 'The second half was better, we were constantly in the opposition's half,' said Romeu in his post-match press conference. 'We had to attack a defence that was already very crowded. I think that in our play out wide we weren't very clear about our crosses. 'They cleared several balls because they feel uncomfortable in this kind of aerial play and we weren't very clinical in picking up the second balls after the crosses. I think that's one of the mistakes we made.' Sometimes football can seem unfair. This may seem like a failure, but is not normal for a team to win everything all the time, to be in five consecutive Champions League finals and win them all. 'I don't think people should focus only on this match, because it doesn't justify the great season the team has had and is still having,' Romeu said. 'I think the measure of a team's competitiveness is how many games you play at the end of the season, and we made it to the last game of the Champions League.' Advertisement 'Deep down, I think this will make us stronger next season,' Bonmati told TV3 while still on the pitch, her eyes swollen from crying. 'We'll learn. I know that whenever we lose, I come out and say this,' Putellas added on TV3. It is true they always say it, but it is also true they always do it. You would not bet against a different outcome next season.
