**Arsenal have given themselves a mountain to climb in the second leg following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in Spain’s capital. Head coach Renée Slegers says that she is confident that her side can turn it around next week at Emirates Stadium.**
Despite the disappointing performance, Gunners head coach Renée Slegers said her side are confident that they can turn the deficit around in the second leg.
“It’s half time, it’s 2-0 at half time, so we are confident,” Slegers admitted.
“I think we have more of the ball. I think we create more chances, and I think what they did really well today was defending really well, coming out diagonally and creating one-on-one situations. So I think two of those actions, two goals. So that’s definitely something you want to do better. But as I said, it’s half time and big belief and big confidence, maybe on a different surface as well, that we can move the ball a little bit quicker and create bigger space.”
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The conditions in Madrid were well below average, as the March onslaught of rain caused a swimming pool of bog appear over Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano. Real Madrid are yet to host a women’s game at the Bernabéu, which currently sits empty during the men’s international break.
Asked to comment on the club’s refusal to host the women’s team at the main stadium despite the poor conditions at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, Slegers remained level-headed.
“That’s obviously a club decision, and I’m sure that UEFA is trying to create the best conditions for the tournament, of course, weather is not always within control. I think we’ve seen a couple of games lately where the pitch conditions haven’t been great, and I think that’s the next step for women’s football to take.”
The conditions played into Real Madrid’s strengths, forcing Arsenal to concede two goals on the break.
“We spoke about it with the players before the game, we knew the condition of the pitch, so we had a plan for it,” Slegers expressed.
“But then it’s always hard, because over a season and over time, you work on things and you have an identity the way you want to do things. So then reality comes and these conditions come, and all of a sudden you need to do things differently. So that’s that’s, of course, hard, but the players tried, so all credit to them for trying and the work rate. But again, I think we’re all confident that we can do something against them at the Emirates at home, because it’s only half time.”