**Renee Slegers admits that she felt under pressure going into Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid in the Uefa Women’s Champions League.**
[Two second-half goals from Alessia Russo ensured a much-needed victory](https://hayters.com/arsenal-bounce-back-with-huge-win-over-real-madrid/) for Slegers’ side after they had only won one of their opening three UWCL fixtures going into the match. The most recent of those matches was a 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich, in which Arsenal were two goals up.
With only three points on the board, Arsenal were just two places above the bottom six and at risk of not making it to the next round of the competition they won last season.
“From a Champions League table perspective we were under pressure because we needed points to be able to go at least to the playoffs.” she said. “So from that perspective, I felt we were under pressure.
“Otherwise, from the outside I don’t know- what was important internally was for ourselves to show what we can do, what we’re capable of, that we can bounce back.
“If we work really hard and keep on believing in the processes and everyone going in the same direction, rewards will come and that’s what’s happened today, it was a really important moment for the future.”
Russo’s two goals were the difference between the sides and Slegers was [full of praise for the England international after the match.](https://hayters.com/russo-insists-that-arsenal-have-a-target-on-their-back-after-uwcl-win/)
“It’s hard because there is so much to say about Alessia, because there’s so many things about her.” Slegers said. “She takes care of the team in such a good way. She models all the right behaviours, she sees people, she helps people, she works hard, she’s 100% every day.
“Everything in training is game intensity, always wants to learn things. We think ownership in our environment is important, so we ask the team, for example, to go and have a look at the opposition and she would always do it, she’s just everything.
“She is very respectful, humble also good to work with. I think that’s the way she goes about life and her sports and her role in the team. She just reflects how she performs on the pitch. She’s a fantastic footballer.”