Mariona Caldentey has said that Arsenal ‘have to respect’ Corinthians after the Gunners made history with a 6-0 victory over AS FAR on Wednesday night.
The result ensured the Gunners take their place in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup final on Sunday. Mariona found the net from the penalty spot on the night and joined Stina Blackstenius, Olivia Smith, Firda Maanum and Alessia Russo on the scoresheet.
The Spaniard spoke to the media after the match and The Halfway Line was there to hear from her.
Mariona lauds a night that gave ‘confidence to everyone’
Mariona pulled the strings for Arsenal in the first half, getting on the scoresheet before being rested by her manager for the second half. The Spanish maestro was asked for how she felt after the match,
“Yeah, I felt nice” Mariona said.
“We knew we wanted to be in that final at home in front of our fans, so it was an important game for us, and we just went for it from the start.
“And I think, yeah, it’s nice, scoring goals. Good feelings, giving confidence to everyone. So I think it was a good night.”
Mariona delights in scoring ‘earlier’ against AS FAR
Arsenal scored within minutes of the match kicking off, something they have struggled with in the recent past, Mariona explained how important that early start was,
“Yeah, of course” Mariona agreed.
“I think that’s always the hardest thing in games. If you don’t score, it goes harder and harder.
“[Against] a team who always wanted to play as well the ball that they are good footballers, [with] technique and it was good that we scored earlier.”
‘We have to respect’ Corinthians affirms Mariona Caldentey
Earlier in the day Corinthians pulled off something of a shock to defeat NWSL champions 1-0 to make the final. The Spanish midfielder was asked if she had watched the earlier semi final and what she thought of Corinthians,
“Yeah, we did” said Caldentey.
“We were a bit traveling and eating. But I mean, I know some players from Corinthians, I played with Andressa Silva in Barcelona, and a lot of them are legends from Brazil, so we have to respect them.
“We know how dangerous they can be, everyone thought today Gotham will win, and it was not that easy, of course. So we have to respect that and try our best.”
‘We are Arsenal and we need to compete to lift trophies’ says Mariona Caldentey
Arsenal made history on Wednesday to make the final, the first competition of its ilk. Mariona, no stranger to making history, explained what it means to be in another final with the club,
“I mean, we are Arsenal and we need to compete to lift trophies” Mariona stated.
“And now we are in a final, how I said before, at home, in front of our fans, so I think it’s the perfect scenario for us.
So now we need to work hard to see what we can do against Corinthians and try to go for that trophy.”
