WSL: Marisa Olislagers targets higher league position as Brighton begin new era | OneFootball

Ahead of the 2026/27 Women’s Super League season getting underway, Dutch defender Marisa Olislagers spoke exclusively to Her Football Hub at Brighton’s media day. She spoke about the board’s renewed investment, taking on more of a leadership role and last season’s FA Cup journey.

Brighton and Hove Albion enter the new WSL season looking to build on a campaign that delivered some of the most memorable moments in the club’s history.

The Seagulls reached their first-ever Women’s FA Cup final and finished seventh in the WSL, just two points behind their highest-ever league finish (fifth).

Most notably, the Seagulls defeated 14-time FA Cup winners Arsenal in the quarter-finals. Olislagers played almost the whole encounter and completed the most tackles in the match. A dramatic 3-2 win against Liverpool in the semi-finals booked the Seagulls’ ticket to Wembley Stadium.

Heading into the new season, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. The club have retained key players like Keiko Seike — their top scorer in the league last season — alongside goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. They’ve also recruited well, bringing in seasoned international and UEFA Champions League winner Lia Wälti.

“I think we really want to finish higher than we did last season,” said Olislagers. “It was a bit sad that we finished seventh in the end instead of sixth. But I think if we perform every week the best we can, then we can do some very nice things and I’m excited for that.

“We’ve got such a great team, so I think we can do amazing. Obviously, the result wasn’t what we wanted in the end at Wembley, but I think we played a very good first half.”

Who is Brighton’s manager?

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Brighton’s preparations for the new season were thrown into turmoil just days before their WSL opener when head coach Dario Vidosic left the club to pursue a new opportunity in the States. He departs after two years at the helm, having overseen one of the most successful periods in Brighton’s history.

With the club preparing for their season opener against Arsenal on September 6th, the board acted quick to hire Arturo Ruiz as his successor.

The 29-year-old, who’s signed until 2029, arrives after a successful spell at Real Sociedad, where he guided the Spanish side to third place in Liga F and into the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Although there will be a change in the dugout, with differing tactics and ideas, the core of the squad that’s grown together over the past two seasons remain.

Olislagers is among those players who’ve become increasingly important since arriving from FC Twente in 2024.

After a successful spell in her homeland, beginning her career with ADO Den Haag before moving to Twente, where she won multiple domestic honours and developed into a senior international, the 25-year-old wanted to pursue new challenge in a league she considers the best.

“I just think the WSL is the best league,” she explained. “Every week you really need to compete and be with the best players. So, I think it’s a really good place for me to be in.”

Settling in and becoming a leader

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After two seasons in blue and white, Olislagers is firmly settled on the south coast and recently committed her future to the club.

“I’m really enjoying my time here. I think it’s just a very nice place to live and I’ve got a nice team, and the style of playing just suits me. So, yeah, I think I’m in a good place.”

Brighton’s possession-based approach under Vidosic has also helped Olislagers establish herself within the side, with the versatile defender comfortable operating across different areas of the backline.

“We really want to play football, we’re very possession based, and we have a lot of rotations,” she said. “I’m comfortable in that. I like to be in the midfield, to be out wide, to be a bit higher. So yeah, I think that you are in so many different positions. I think that suits me.”

With the appointment of Ruiz as head coach, Brighton are sure to maintain their possession-based approach. In Liga F last season, Real Sociedad finished third in the possession rankings, closely behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona who occupied top spot.

Now one of the more established members of the squad, Olislagers feels ready to take on greater responsibility.

“I’m here now and I’m more and more comfortable. So yeah, I think I can take that [leadership] role.”

Brighton unveil plans for new stadium

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Earlier this year, Brighton released their plans for Europe’s first purpose-built women’s football stadium. It will be part of just three of these stadiums across the world.

For Olislagers, this investment is essential if Brighton are to continue competing with the clubs around them.

She said: “Brighton really wants to invest money, and I think that just helps us. Every team is really investing right now, and I think it’s important that we do that as well.

“The chairman does that and I think that improves us as a team and to compete with everyone else.”

The investment comes at a time when Brighton are looking to build on the momentum generated by last season’s FA Cup run and continue attracting more supporters to come through the gates.

For the defender, she believes the fans will have an important role to play as Brighton look to take another step forward.

“We really need the fans, they can always help you, give you a little bit of that extra energy, and be the 12th man.”

Who do Brighton play in their first 2026/27 WSL game?

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Brighton and Hove Albion will kick-off their 2026/27 WSL season against Arsenal on Sunday, 6th September. The Seagulls will welcome Arsenal to Broadfield Stadium with kick-off at 12pm (BST). Viewers in the UK can stream the match live of Sky Sports, while international viewers can tune in on the Barclays Women’s Super League YouTube channel.

“Obviously, that’s just such a good opponent,” Olislagers said. “But I think any opponent, we should be ready for.

“We’ve had some good friendlies, so I think that really helps us to prepare the best way we can. I’m actually sure we’ll be ready for it, and it’ll be an interesting game.”

After reaching Wembley last season, pushing for a higher league finish and entering a new era under a new head coach, the Seagulls have plenty to build upon.

When asked to give a message to suporters ahead of the new league season, Olislagers said: “That we would work so hard every game and to really play the style we want to, and we will do everything to get the best results we can. I think we can do some very nice things this season.”

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