Slegers expecting a big battle for UWCL points with OH Leuven | OneFootball

Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers says that both teams will be battling hard for three points when her side face OH Leuven in the UEFA Women’s Champions League this evening.

The Gunners travel to Belgium for their Matchday 6 fixture. Both sides go into the game in the play-off zone in the league phase.

At this stage of the competition, points are precious and Arsenal boss Slegers expects nothing but a real fight in Leuven this evening.

Yes, it will be [a big game],” Slegers said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “They are in the knockout spots at the moment but I think the next team is on four points. If they win, they’ll have to go for points as well. We have a starting point, but then anything can change during the game for both teams.”

Most of Leuven’s UEFA Women’s Champions League games have been tight so far and Slegers says that the Belgians will pose some interesting tactical challenges.

She said “They’re interesting because they are very disciplined in everything they do. They defend in certain areas, but they also have the ability to change things in-game. They can go higher, they can go lower. They have quite some depth in the squad, so they can make changes that will change the game for them. There are a lot of different scenarios for the game.

“You see, in the Champions League, it’s just a small data set, but the first half has looked different from the second half so far and only those five games, maybe four games, apart from the Barcelona game, which plays out differently. It’s going to be an interesting game with a lot of different scenarios.”

Arsenal have won their last four games in all competitions and Slegers says that it is important to keep momentum rolling on.

She said “It’s very important. Five games this block in different competitions, now we’re going to Leuven. It’s an important one for us. It’s the last one in the Champions League and we go for the three points. It’s not within our hands [to finish in the top four], but we will try to chase those top four positions.

“Leuven will also go for something, so it’s going to be an interesting game. All games will be played at the same time, so scenarios can change in an instant. Of course, we’re happy with the last three games and look forward it.”

Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League fixture against OH Leuven kicks-off at 8pm.