Renee and Katie speak ahead of Lyon

Renee Slegers and Katie McCabe sat down in front of the media at Sobha Realty Training Centre for their pre-Lyon press conference on Friday.

They were asked all about Sunday's UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final second leg.

Here's everything they had to say on the following subjects.

on how we’ve got ready for the second leg:
RS: We've had a seven-day turnaround, which we barely have, so that's been good for us. Of course, the first two days are about reviewing and recovering, and that's what we've done. And then in the middle of the week, we've trained hard, we've worked hard. And we've tried to work on all the details together with the team that we want to bring on Sunday. So it's been a good situation of us being able to spend a lot of time together and work towards this second leg. And I think the environment has been very positive and constructive.

on the boost of Daphne and Lotte returning to training:
RS: Yeah, so they train today, the plan for them is to train tomorrow, and then they will be available for Sunday. But everyone still needs to come through training tomorrow, as always. No, it's very good. Of course, we are very happy with the squad that we have and the quality of players. So as many as possible available will be key for these big games that we're playing, and this is where we want to be. So having these players back is very positive for us.

on Kim Little:
RS: Yeah, she's okay. So we manage her and the plan is for her to train tomorrow. And just like I said, for everyone to get through that session tomorrow, and then everyone will be available for Sunday, hopefully.

on how big Sunday’s game is:
KM: Yeah, this is right up there, for sure. I think it's been nearly two years, obviously, since we were in this position with the club last time around against Wolfsburg. We're away from home in the second leg, so it's going to be a different challenge for us. You spoke about, obviously, availability and our squad and the depth we have and the strengths we have around the team is fantastic. At that time, two years ago, we were in a different place, so for us, we're feeling good. We're feeling unified and really focused going into Sunday's game.

on this being a test of our grit and determination:
KM: You have to have it all. You have to have every one of those words you said, the grit, the perseverance, the courage to step up in these games. We were frustrated at times, especially in the first leg, by the fine margins and not getting over the line as such. But, as Renee touched on, we've been hard at it. In terms of looking at how we can do better in those moments, keep improving, keep creating those opportunities. It's all on Sunday now to make sure we get over the line. I'm very lucky to be part of a fantastic group of teammates and high-quality staff. To play at a club like Arsenal for as long as I have, I don't take that for granted at all. The feeling the fans give us as well, especially at the Emirates last Saturday. I know we've obviously got travelling fans coming up over the weekend as well. How important they are for me, I never take for granted putting on this shirt. To be heading into a semi-final of a Champions League is something I just can't wait to embrace.

on if there are similarities between our first leg against Lyon and our defeat to Chelsea in January:
RS: I’m not sure if I want to compare those two games. I think they're very different and we played them at different stages of the season. I think we knew what to expect with Lyon and we know their threats. Sometimes in those top games you need to settle and you need to feel it and experience it. I think that's maybe what happened. We're so happy with how the players got through that and grew into the game. I think that's part of what gives us belief for the second leg as well. We believe that we can expose them but we're also very aware that there's a lot of threat in Lyon and what they can create. We're super humble for the task because they probably have a next level in them but so do we. There's a balance of us being very humble and very aware of what we're going to play against but then also a big belief because we think we can do something on Sunday. We know what the task is that's ahead of us, we know the details we want to bring to the game and we're going to give everything we can give in that game because there's nothing to hold back for. We really look forward to the opportunity on Sunday.

on if us having the ball is part of Lyon’s plan:
RS: He [Joe Montemurro] probably put it into words what we see, what they did. I think analysing the game, we see similar things. We believe in ourselves so we want to bring to the game what we want to bring to the game and always for us what's important is quality on the ball. I think when we are good on the ball then they will get the chance to do what they are good at. Whatever Joe said, and I'm happy to take some of that information if you have more, we want to focus on ourselves and we're very aware of their threat.

on how Katie can strike the balance between supporting the attack while handling a threat like Kadidiatou Diani:
KM: You've got to be so on it in terms of where your opponent is, where the ball is, where my teammates are. So it's just reading and feeling the spaces in those moments. Of course I respect Diani and the whole Lyon team, we do, because of what they've achieved. But also we know our qualities and our strengths, especially going forward. For me that is one of my strengths, making forward runs and driving into spaces and delivering the ball into the box. I think we've obviously touched on certain things during the week so I definitely don't want to lose that aspect of my game going forward.

on if they have any pre-match superstitions:
KM: I think every game is different and so for me I kind of prepare differently for each game. I always, always, always will make sure I get my work done early on in the week so that I'm free and in a clear head going into game day. I guess the one superstition would be I tuck my shirt in. If we're talking about superstitions, people say I look weird when it's not tucked in. So yeah, I guess it's that one. It’s probably different from a player to a manager!

RS: Yes, so I wasn't superstitious at all as a player. I would say I have more tendencies to get dragged into those kinds of behaviours as a coach to be honest because you feel more responsibility. But I also know, I'm very rational about it, it doesn't help. So no, I don't have clear superstitions. But if I could have ahead of different games, I would go back and do something again or if I need to see this again before that. But that's more for my own security. But no, nothing here to share, nothing about octopuses, nothing.

on why Lyon have been so strong in Europe if the French league isn’t considered to be as competitive as the WSL:
KM: That's a good question. What's the recipe?

RS: I think either way it's speculating. But I think if you look at Lyon in France and Barcelona in Spain, for example, they are the teams that have been investing the longest and the most for a long time. So even though maybe the leagues aren't competitive, they still get their competitive moments. They get competition in training if you look at their spots. So that would be my speculation around the thing you bring up. But yeah, it's hard to know. But I agree with you that the WSL is very competitive, which is very good for English football.

KM: I agree with Renee. Don't go against the gaffer!

on our comeback-ability and how the experience of that will help this weekend:
RS: Well, of course, you want to set up yourself so you don't have to overcome setbacks. That's the starting point. But we also know that in sports it will happen, because the further you go, the better teams you play against, this will happen. You're going to play against good teams and good players. So what happens with us when we are in that situation and we have to come back within those 90 minutes or in the second leg? And I think the team so far has shown so much strength in those moments. And I think that's key for us to be a winning team, that whatever happens, we stick to it, we keep on going, we have a mindset of winning, we persist, and we keep on believing in what we're doing and we're aligned on that. And I think that's what the team has been showing. They've invested so much, the players, into these processes. And I think that's why we've been able to turn things around before. And that, of course, gives us belief for the future as well.

KM: Obviously, just to echo what Renee said, I think we're seeing the benefits of it now, the Real Madrid game, the Bayern Munich game, but this is something we've been conscious of probably for a long time. Because I think to be champions and really progress in Europe and win competitions, you have to have that aspect in the game, not just individually, but as a team. And I think when we've went down a goal or two or had to turn the leg around or different playing conditions, if you're away somewhere, you need to see that, respect it, and then focus on what we can do and what we can control. Obviously, the most recent one was the Real Madrid game, and I think conditions were what it was away from home. But, yes, we kept it in our control of bringing them back to the Emirates and playing our football and playing the Arsenal way. And, yes, it obviously helps then when it comes off. But it's something that we've been working on and conscious of over the last year or two, for sure.

on using previous disappointment of being knocked out as fuel:
KM: I remember leading the girls out against Wolfsburg, and we were lined up, and I'm looking at our bench, and the row of players that were out with long-term injuries. It was incredible. There was Kim, there was Caitlin, there was Viv, Beth, Leah Williamson. It was crazy. So we had a depleted squad. People were kind of down and out on us, really. So to be in this position now and having grown through those difficult moments, not getting through, obviously Wolfsburg beating us in the end, you have to find the positives in those moments and the learnings from that. And I think we've grown so much over those two years and really developed and developed our game, especially how we play going forward. And that's down to Renee and the coaching staff as well for working us so hard out on the training pitch. So, yeah, it's exciting. For us as a team, we're excited going into this, and hopefully we can showcase what we can do.

on what Katie has learned about herself over the last couple of seasons:
KM: I don't know. I just try to continue to be myself, turn up to training, work, and leave it all out there. I'm not anything else in between, but honestly, for me, how I prepare for games, whether it be with Arsenal or Ireland, I need to train how I play. I need to give 100% and demand for myself and demand for my teammates and younger players as well. So that's how I've always been. And I don't think at 29 now I'm going to change anytime soon as well. But yeah, definitely over the last two years as well, I've wanted to develop more tactically as well and having initially Renee as assistant, Aaron as well, spending time to help kind of figure things out or look at things a little bit differently. So yeah, it's been great. I think you can always learn, especially in football. There's always different pictures at different times. So yeah, just enjoying it really.

on if Renee can learn from Katie and the team:
RS: Oh, absolutely. And I think there's a couple of players in the team like Katie, who are a part of those who have been here for so long. So they understand the club so well and they know where the club comes from and where we want to go so clearly. And so it's so good to work with them. And I think with Katie, when you say working with Aaron and me and developing the tactical game, I think Katie's tactical understanding is on a very, very high level. And that's in answer to your question. I think that's where we learn from the player as well. Because Katie sees, and that's the hard part as a coach. So you see the game from the sideline or from video footage and you say this and this and there and that. But then the player on the page has a totally different view on, like literally a different view, different perception of the game. And I think sometimes we see things from up above and we think this should be possible. This should be the solution. And then they go and say like on the page, it actually looks like this. We think this player can do this job better. And they see the distances in a different way, for example. So we learn a lot from the players and Katie is definitely one of them. So when you say developing tactically, it's both ways.

KM: We’re being really nice to each other!

on how regularly Renee consults the players on our plans:
RS: Well, I always tell myself in the morning or ahead of the week that there are so many things that need to be done in the morning before the players come in. Players come in quarter past nine and our first team meeting starts quarter past ten. We are done with our meeting 9.30 and then I have a window of 45 minutes before the team meeting starts to spend with players and that's my protected time with players. So I'd rather go up early in the morning, six o'clock to do my work or stay a little bit longer in the afternoon. So when the players are available, we want to connect with them and that's something we want to commit to as a coaching staff, but we have to remind ourselves of it because otherwise you get dragged into other work. But that's key for us, that we stay connected between staff and players because we want to develop together.

on Lotte signing a new contract:
KM: When I first signed for the club, Lotte was in the squad as a player coming up from the academy. Her and Anna Patten at the time. Lotte epitomises what Arsenal Football Club is in so many ways. And I think in the announcement video, how creative she was, including people from the community, involving herself in North London. It was incredible. And Renee, obviously you mentioned it to the whole team before the team meeting that she was signing a new deal. And everyone was ecstatic over it. She's a fantastic player and brings so much to this team, on and off the pitch. So we're very lucky to have her for the next few years.

on what she’s been like around the squad recently:
RS: Yeah, very important. Lotte is so important for the group. I think if I compare myself when I was in Lotte’s age, I didn't understand the full picture as well as she does. I think she has the capacity to go away from herself and see the club, the team, what's needed for the greater good. So I think she's on such a high level. When she was out injured, someone made a comment to Lotte. “You're smiling. It looks like you like to be on the game, ready and in the gym.” She's like, “no, that's not why I'm smiling. I hate to not be on the pitch, but I'm smiling because I want to bring the energy to the team.” So that’s Lotte.

on our under-21s winning the league:
RS: Yeah, it's so important for the club to be rewarded with winning the league because I think so many people in the background are working so hard to work with the academy players and our young talents. I think Elliot and all the other people, the staff in the background, have done an amazing job. You can see how many players we get through to the first team, how many players we have on loan at the moment. So yeah, fantastic job.

on our travelling supporters:
KM: So loud, yeah. No, I think our fans, I'm biased, but I think they're the best in the league, the best in Europe. I think wherever we go, whether it's in Europe or up north in England, wherever we're going, they're always there in numbers and cheering us on, singing the chants. They always make the new players feel so welcome by making up new chants for them. And that connection we have with them is something you can't buy. And for us, especially on Sunday, they're going to be so important for us to urge us on and encourage us and give us the energy, as they always do.

on supporters who went to our defeat to Wolfsburg and are going to the game on Sunday:
KM: Yeah, I hope so. I think, yeah, hopefully it's not the same result as their first game. But yeah, we always go out on that pitch and wear the shirt with pride and we want to do the fans proud. So we know they'll be out in numbers cheering us on.

on the most positive changes we’ve made in Europe:
RS: I think we touched upon it before. It's how we persist and accept and get back from setbacks. I think how we are composed in those moments because they will happen, especially, like I said, against the top teams. The further you get, the harder it gets. So they will happen. So in-game, but also between games, us coming back and staying persistent and composed in everything we do and keeping on believing in the process. I think that's been the biggest strength of the team.

on having a fun and relaxed atmosphere in training ahead of a big weekend:
KM: Yeah, I think we had a day off yesterday and the coach has introduced the music for the rondos. It's just more to get that, as you said, good energy flowing and good vibes. But once the music goes off, we are straight to work. We are working, obviously, in the rondos, but it's full focus on what we're doing. It's nice to have good camaraderie around the team, which is always a positive thing. It unifies us, and that's what we have to be. We have to be unified going into Sunday as a whole club. Obviously, fans included in that as well.

on if we can win the Champions League:
KM: I believe on Sunday we can go in and be positive and score goals. We have the quality. We have the class around the team, but we have to be on it. We have to be on it from the get-go. We've spoken about, obviously, Lyon and their strengths, but we know what we can do. We have the belief we can go and turn it around on Sunday.