Arsenal Women were left stunned in Munich after surrendering a two-goal lead in a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Bayern in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Wednesday night.
It had looked like one of the Gunners’ most commanding displays of the season. Two first-half goals silenced the German crowd and put Arsenal firmly in control. But football can flip fast, especially against elite opposition as no lead is ever secure.
“The first half was good,” Slegers admitted. “I think our press was working. We caused turnovers in their half, and I don’t think they found the solutions in the first half. I think we had good quality on the ball, we found spaces, we were supporting well, so first half was really good.
“But then the second half was totally different, because I think we dominated the first half. In the second half, Bayern dominated, especially after they scored the first goal. I think they start believing something.”
She added: “What they changed in the second half, they started to play more of a long-ball, second-ball game, and stack numbers high. So the whole game changed, and we didn’t deal with it well enough today, so that was disappointing.
“You’re never safe against top teams. You see that they scored a goal in a good moment, and it creates belief for them. You see what goals do to a game and to a team. We are disappointed. If you’re 2-0 up in the first half against Bayern, that’s a really good scenario. That’s, of course, the scenario that you want, so you absolutely don’t want to concede three in the second half.”
The collapse stung, but Slegers kept her perspective and her gratitude.
“They’re always with us, and I can’t believe they all travelled to Munich to come and see us,” she said of the travelling Arsenal fans.
“We gave them a good first half, and they were so active as well. I’m sorry for the second half, and we’re going to need everyone in the north London derby again.”
Now, attention turns to the weekend clash with Tottenham: a derby that will demand both redemption and resilience.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
