European Champions Arsenal play South American Champions Corinthians on Sunday in the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Final at Arsenal Stadium. Gunners centre-half Steph Catley says her and her teammates are motivated to win a first trophy of the season and to win the inaugural Champions Cup.
‘I think it would be incredible,’ said the Australian international. ‘It’s the first time as female footballers, we’ve had the opportunity to be part of a tournament like this and have our names on a trophy this early down the track for our season and something that’s never happened before. First name on this trophy for our club would be very, very good.’
Arsenal beat African Champions ASFAR 6-0 in the semi-final in Brentford on Wednesday evening, the tournament has pitted the champions of each continent against one another. Catley says she has enjoyed how the tournament has pitted different styles and different cultures against one another.
‘It’s been a great experience so far, watching the game before our game it was nice to see two completely different teams battling it out in two different styles and having to figure each other out. It reminds me of the Champions League in that way.
‘We’ve got that experience coming into games like this because it doesn’t feel too foreign. It’s been nice just playing against different oppositions, seeing different players and it’s amazing for them to have a platform, so everyone’s watching these kind of games.
‘Sometimes not a lot of people have the opportunity to see players from different countries and this is a great platform to go out and shine and to play amazing football- it’s an honour to be a part of it. We’re in the final, we have a chance to win it for the first time and it’s a massive opportunity. I’m just excited to get out there.’
Corinthians defeated Gotham 1-0 in the other semi-final at Brentford. Catley sees distinctions between Corinthians and their fans and Arsenal. ‘Watching their game before ours, that was probably the main thing I picked up was the passion that the fans have for their players, but also the players have and the connection to their fans.
‘It reminded me a lot of the way we are with our fans, the way we care for them, the way they care for us and they show up for us always and they’re loud. I think it’ll be a battle on the pitch, but I think off the pitch is going to be a massive battle as well and I think it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere for everyone- hopefully they show up in numbers and hopefully we’re gonna show up for numbers too.’
Corinthians are the six times Copa Libertadores winners and they are able to play in a number of different styles. Catley says her experience of playing against Brazil for Australia will come in handy.
‘From watching them very, very similar to the game between Australia and Brazil. I think Brazil played England recently as well and it’s the passion, aggression, collectiveness that they bring. You don’t get a second to breathe on the ball. They’re all over you, and they’re working for each other.
‘They’re all over the second ball, so something’s in the air, they’re ready to pounce on the second ball and they can be lethal in the box as well. So it’s gonna be a battle and we’re gonna have to show up with absolutely 100% of everything we’ve got to win the game. There’s a trophy on the line, so I think it doesn’t matter we’re in the middle of the season.
‘We’re obviously in good momentum, good flow. They’re in their preseason. Totally different end to the spectrum but I think if you put a trophy on the line, then you get the best out of both teams, regardless of where they’re coming from. I think it’s gonna be a really good game.’
Corinthians are in their pre-season while Arsenal are in an intense period where they have already faced Manchester United twice and Chelsea once, with Manchester City to come next weekend. Catley sees both sides of the argument when it comes to where Arsenal and Corinthians are physically.
‘I think it’s a good place to be because this has felt not out of flow for us. It has felt like a build up to a League game. Obviously, there’s a little bit of a different feel to it, but everything, the preparation has felt quite normal for us. So I think that is an advantage, the fact that we’re in our home stadium, we’ve got our fans there.
‘You could say all those things are an advantage but you could also look at them. Maybe they’re a bit fresher than us. We had lots of games on the bounce recently, lots of big fixtures, but I think as soon as you put the trophy there, then both teams are just going to put everything into it.’
Captain Kim Little and Catley are good friends and even played together for a short while at Melbourne. Catley, who is one of the team’s vice captains, has nothing but respect for the long-term Arsenal skipper.
‘She’s always been one of my favourite players to play alongside. She’s so consistent. She never drops her level. She demands standards of everyone else around her and does that naturally by the way that she plays and she lives. She’s just a steady force of us out there.
‘I think she’s one of those players that you notice as soon as they’re not there. She’s been able to maintain that level over so many years and do it in such a humble way where she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. She’s just an inspiration for all of us.’
Arsenal play Corinthians today at 6pm at Arsenal Stadium in the FIFA Champions Cup Final.