Real Madrid Women Aim for Historic Champions League Semifinal in London

Madrid, Spain — Real Madrid‘s women’s soccer team travels to London on Wednesday night, seeking a place among the top four clubs in Europe for the first time in their history. The match against Arsenal kicks off at 9:00 PM CET at the Emirates Stadium and follows a remarkable turnaround in form for the Madrid squad.

Only ten days earlier, the team faced a tough defeat in the Copa de la Reina semifinals, losing by an aggregate score of 8-1, and had drawn 2-2 at home against Deportivo, which put their hopes of a league title in jeopardy. However, following a stunning 3-1 victory over Barcelona this past weekend, confidence within the squad has soared.

“We arrive [at the Emirates] very prepared at every level, with our emotions high after what happened last weekend,” said Real Madrid coach Alberto Toril during a press conference in London. The victory against Barcelona has not only boosted morale but brought the team within four points of the league leaders, as they now head into the quarterfinals of the Champions League with a two-goal advantage from the first leg.

Caroline Weir, one of the standout players for Madrid, emphasized the significance of the previous win. “It was a special day for the club. Definitely, it has given us confidence. We have worked very hard to get close to Barcelona,” she noted. The win has placed Real Madrid in a favorable position as they prepare to face Arsenal, which has a rich history in the competition.

The match takes on added significance for Madrid, as a defeat would have meant a definitive end to their league title aspirations. Now, with two months left in the season, Toril’s side looks to make the most of their momentum against an Arsenal team that has reached this stage 16 times and is the only English club to have won the trophy.

Key players for Real include goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez, who made crucial saves against both Arsenal and Barcelona, and the solid defensive duo of María Méndez and Mäelle Lakrar. The midfield prowess of Angeldahl and the attacking talents of Weir and Linda Caicedo will be critical. Caicedo, only 20 years old, is emerging as a significant force and has been recognized for her contributions in advanced metrics.

Despite the injury of key midfielder Melanie Leupolz, who suffered another knee injury, Madrid is determined to capitalize on their current momentum. “We want to continue this good run, especially against Arsenal, who we managed to neutralize in the first leg,” Toril added.

With the backdrop of possible player fatigue from the demanding schedule, the team aims to break new ground under pressure. Arsenal’s manager Renée Slegers acknowledged that the team’s preparation has been impacted by the state of the pitch at their home ground, with another legend of the club, Ian Wright, labeling it a “shame.”

As the players step onto the high-capacity Emirates Stadium field, they will draw on their newfound confidence and the prospect of creating a historic achievement in the tournament.