Lia Wälti pushing for another UWCL fairytale with Juventus after Arsenal triumph | OneFootball

An icon of the game in so many ways, revered as a hero on the red side of London, Lia Wälti won almost everything there was to win during her time with Arsenal, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Representing Switzerland 125 times — one of her country’s most-capped ever players — it’s fair to say Wälti has earned her title of legend.

Now, representing Italian giants Juventus, Wälti has added to her already significant personal medal tally. Juventus beat Roma at the Stadio Romeo Menti early this season to claim the inaugural Serie A Women’s Cup in a 3-1 win.

Now, Wälti and Juve have their sights set on a new milestone as they challenge in this season’s Champions League.

“We know we are not one of the teams everybody lists as someone who may win [the UWCL]. Our biggest aim though is, of course, what all of us think about, is winning the Champions League,” the 32-year-old said. “We’re going to do everything to annoy the ‘bigger’ teams and make sure we get through to the next round.”

No easy route in the Champions League

Juventus will face dangerous opposition almost relentlessly as they seek out their spot in the quarter-finals of the UWCL. Having already beaten Benfica, Juventus are set to face Bayern Munich, Atlético de Madrid, Lyon, St. Polten and Manchester United.

Despite the obvious challenges ahead, Wälti isn’t afraid to dream about joining an elusive group of players such as Lucy Bronze and Conny Pohlers to win the UWCL with different clubs.

“If you had asked me about even winning the Champions League when I was with Arsenal, I wouldn’t have known how to even respond,” Wälti admitted. “Of course it was always a dream, something you think about deep down I think, but it takes so much to win.”

LISBON, PORTUGAL – MAY 24: Kim Little and Lia Wälti of Arsenal celebrate with the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy after defeating FC Barcelona during the UEFA Women’s Champions League final match between Arsenal WFC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Jose Alvalade (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

The Bianconere number 13 continued: “It honestly needs so much luck [to win the UWCL]. It needs so many perfect performances. You need to see what’s around you all the time against the best teams in the world, it’s hard, but we did it.

“We would of course love to win it, that’s our aim, we want to win it together. But that’s a long journey and it’s too early to think too much about that just yet.”

Stepping into a senior role in Italy

Recently we spent time with Juventus star Tatiana Pinto. The Portuguese playmaker shared with us that Wälti and herself had been signed by Juventus for their experience. Wälti admitted this ‘isn’t a totally new situation’ for her.

“At Arsenal last year, when I maybe wasn’t getting as many minutes as I was used to, my role became about supporting players. — In training, helping them to be at their best, and offering advice or support whenever I could.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Leah Williamson (L) and Lia Waelti of Arsenal celebrate following their side’s victory in the FA Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

“Of course it’s a different situation now. I think when I joined Arsenal, women’s football wasn’t as big as it is now yet. We just kind of built something really special over the years together. Now, I’ve joined a team with 23 amazing players but perhaps a little bit less experience on that level. So yes, me and players like Tatiana [Pinto] are sharing our experiences in the exact same way with the squad.”

With a trophy already in the bag this season from Juventus and their UWCL campaign off to a winning start, it’s clear to see the new influx of players at Juventus have settled in nicely.

“Adapting to a new place is really important,” Wälti stated. “If my opinion is asked for, I’m going to give it. If I’m asked to be a leader on the pitch, I’ll do that. And, if I’m asked to adapt some things, also I’ll do that. It’s a mix of everything.”

The next big thing in women’s football

Not only is Wälti a leader in the Juventus dressing room, she is a key figure for Switzerland as well. The midfielder started every game for her nation over the summer as they reached the quarter-final of Euro 2025.

Part of a senior player’s role is guiding the next generation of stars. Wälti has already spent time working with Barcelona’s 18-year-old starlet Sydney Schertenleib. The pacy midfielder has already been making an impression on the global stage for Switzerland, making her international debut at 17.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Sydney Schertenleib of Switzerland during warm-up prior the UEFA Women’s Nations League 2024/25 Grp A2 MD1 match between Switzerland and Iceland at Stadion Letzigrund on 02/21/2025. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

“I haven’t seen someone as good as Sydney for many, many years. She’s one of our biggest young talents we have in Switzerland. Technically she’s a really, really good player,” Wälti admitted.

“She brings so many things to a team, she already competes with the best players in an incredible team. She’s absolutely someone who can carry Switzerland over the next decade or two to some successful moments.

“I really do believe in her — I want to take all the pressure off her shoulders. The young players, they should just be able to be free and be creative on the pitch and be brave. I hope she has the freedom to do that over the next couple of years, because I can see expectations are rising around her and people are beginning to place pressure on her to perform already.”

What comes next for Juventus?

Juventus will have to find results against some major oppositions to progress through the next round of the UWCL. They will be looking to build on their positive start against Benfica with a follow-up win against Bayern Munich on October 16th in their first away match of the campaign.

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