Steph Catley has spoken about her dream of playing in ‘special Champions League nights’ from ‘all the way over there in Australia’ as a child.
Catley, who is now a winner of the competition, is preparing her side to begin the defence of their crown. Arsenal completed a dramatic victory is Lisbon, toppling Barcelona last May, a game in which the Australian star played every minute.
Steph Catley has been a mainstay in this Arsenal side since she arrived at the club in 2020. The defender spoke to the media ahead of Arsenal’s first UEFA Women’s Champions League match of the season, and The Halfway Line was there to hear from her.
Steph Catley says Arsenal ‘had so much belief’ to beat Lyon last season
There was a number of times when Arsenal had to dig deep on the way to collecting the Europe’s most coveted trophy in Lisbon last May. After losing 2-1 to Lyon at the Emirates in the semi final Arsenal travelled to France knowing only a win could keep their hopes alive. Few could have imagined what came next as Arsenal beat the record European champions 4-1.
“I think the thing I remember the most is just the way we executed exactly what we said we were going to, pretty much perfectly” Catley recalled of that night at the Groupama Stadium.
“I think there’s sometimes, as a footballer, you’re on the field and you can just tell your teams in a flow, and you can just tell everyone’s switched on to that elite level of playing, and that was one of those days.
“We had so much belief in what we were capable of, and maybe hadn’t produced that, or had produced it in moments in the home leg, and probably thought we deserved a little bit more.
“But everything we’d spoken about in the lead up to that game happened the way we thought it would, and we were ready for everything.
“And I think everyone that stepped onto the pitch brought a level of intensity that allowed us to do what we did. And then same again in the next game.”
Catley dreamt of ‘special’ Champions League nights from ‘all the way over there in Australia’
In Australia there is no shortage of sporting talent, nor sporting heritage. The Aussies are rarely far from the top of the medal table at the Olympics, with sporting legends like Ash Barty, Cathy Freeman and Emma McKeon counted among them.
Catley herself is part of that illustrious legacy as an Australian who has guided her nation to the World Cup semi finals and to have lifted the Champions League. But even from Down Under, when so few had done it from Australia, Catley dreamt of featuring the Champions League as a child,
“I think that there’s something very, very special about Champions League nights” Catley said.
“Coming from Australia, it is something even I was dreaming of all the way over there in Australia, though it did feel like a very, very far away dream.
“But you know, being involved in that competition, I think for us as players, it is what we’ve dreamed about since we were kids.
“So being part of it, obviously being able to win it, but just being in it every year is special.
“And I think you know, you as professionals, every game is very, very important, but there is something amazing about the Champions League, and I think every footballer would probably have the same answer.”
Williamson is ‘very important for us regardless if she’s on the field or not’ says Catley
One of the key turning points in Arsenal’s season last term was Catley’s move to centre back to partner Leah Williamson. The pair helped lead the club to historic success in the Champions League and renewed hope in the league season.
With Williamson out injured at the start of this season Catley explained how her leadership has had to step up on the pitch. She also noted how the club’s vice-captain is still helping from behind the scenes.
“She is vital to our squad” Catley stated. “Whether she’s on the pitch or she’s not on it, she makes herself very busy around the group.
“Even though she’s obviously not on the pitch with us, she’s having conversations with us as centre backs and with the whole group, in terms of what we can do better.
“You know, she’s the first to put in the group chat right before we play, an inspirational message.
“And, yeah, she’s good to lean on, and she she’s making sure she’s keeping busy and around the group. And she’s very, very important for us, regardless if she’s on the field or not.”
Steph Catley heaps praises on ‘intelligent’ footballer Katie Reid
In Williamson’s absence, 19 year old centre back Katie Reid has stepped in to partner Catley at the back. While the pair have struggled for consistent clean sheets they have impressed together.
“I think obviously coming into centre back next to Leah is a different situation to playing alongside Katie [Reid] who’s obviously young and in her first real season of professional football” Catley explained.
“So in a way, I’ve definitely felt like I’ve had to step up into that role a little bit more. I think I do it naturally as one of my strengths. I’m a communicator, and I like to lead, especially from a centre back position.
“So I think, you know, whoever’s in there, I’m going to bring the same traits and do the same things.
“But obviously with Katie coming in to some big situations really early on in her career, I think I’ve definitely adopted that a little bit more, but she’s such an assured player for her age.
“She’s so confident on the ball. She’s really intelligent as a footballer. So she reads, runs well, she’s learning to communicate a little bit more and back herself in that sense.
“But yeah, there’s not too much I have to say to her or do any extra, because she’s doing it all naturally, and the way she’s slotted in is just a credit to herself. She’s played some incredible football over the last few games.”
Lyon are a ‘completely new challenge’ says Steph Catley
Arsenal’s 5-3 aggregate win over Lyon in last season’s Champions League was one of the club’s greatest ever victories. A lot has changed for their opponents since that damaging defeat for their opponents and that is something Catley is keen not to underestimate.
“It’s a brand new game. They’ve got, a new coach and some new signings. So, you know, we’ve looked at a few clips from last time we played them, but mostly it’s been watching their most recent games.
“It is a brand new challenge, but we have come up against a lot of their players in different situations, and I think they pose a unique threat, where I think they’re really, really good on the ball and possession based, but they’ve also got a lot of pace going in behind, so you sort of have to be ready for everything.
“And you know, there was a lot of emotions tied to the last time we played against them, but, yeah, completely new challenge tomorrow.”
Arsenal will face Lyon at 8pm GMT tonight at Meadow Park, with the match live on Disney +.
