Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall believes that tactical learnings will play a part when The Gunners welcome Juventus to the Emirates Stadium this evening.
The two clubs go head-to-head in North London on Matchday 4 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League’s group stage. Arsenal top their group with seven points but Juventus are just two points behind them in second position.
The two sides met in the reverse fixture in Italy just 13 days’ ago. On that occasion, Lineth Beerensteyn fired Juventus into the lead but a Vivianne Miedema goal ensured that the game ended 1-1. Given the short turnaround time for the return fixture, Arsenal boss Eidevall believes that tactical learnings from the last meeting could play a part.
“I expect a competitive game,” Eidevall said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “I always think it’s very interesting when you’re playing a European team with this little time in between the games because now, the tactical component of what the teams learned from the first game will really play a big part – in set pieces and in open play situations.
“I see this as a really long half-time break so let’s hope that we have used this to our best advantage.”
Dutch international forward Beerensteyn’s pace and power was a real threat for Juventus in the reverse fixture and Eidevall is mindful of that particular danger going into tonight’s game.
He said “Both forward players in the Juventus side, Beerensteyn and (Barbara) Bonansea are two very, very skilful players. They’re very fast in the transition as we saw with the goal that they scored against us as well.
“I think Beerensteyn is a top international player. Her pace and movements in the final third are at an extremely high level and she has shown that over many years, both in the Dutch national team and at Bayern Munich before. It doesn’t come as any surprise to me and she’s definitely one of the threats that we will need to handle.”
Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage match against Juventus is scheduled to kick-off at 8pm this evening. Tickets remain available and can be purchased by clicking here.
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