ALESSIA RUSSO is ready to suffer against Barcelona if this leads to Arsenal lifting Europe’s biggest club prize once more.
The chance of playing in Champions League final is a dream the Gunners striker has carried since childhood.
GettyAlessia Russo and her team-mates face huge Champions League final test against Barcelona[/caption]
GettyThe Gunners receives dozens of messages from well-wishers and fans ahead of their bid to help the club win the contest for a second-time[/caption]
AFPBarcelona have been in imperious form in Europe this term and scored eight goals across two games during their semi-final tie against Chelsea[/caption]
An ambition she “would have bitten off an arm” to fulfil.
The dream Russo, 26, had during her younger years of featuring in a Champions League final is just hours away from coming true.
It will be shared with a club who are to date the only English side to have won the women’s contest with their triumph over Swedish outfit Umea 18 years ago.
This striker said: “As a little kid, the idea of competing in the Champions League, let alone playing in the final, is something I would have bit an arm off to get.
“Now it’s coming around, it feels special and we’re just trying to enjoy the build-up and the moment.
“I know that (so much) work has been done (by the players and the club) for a long time
“Arsenal have been significant in terms of women’s clubs from England in the Champions League and making history in that competition.
“We know what we’re coming up against with Barcelona. Their history speaks for itself.”
Barcelona have come a long way since their Champions League debut back in October 20212
A match that ended with their 4-0 group stage loss to an Arsenal team then managed by English gaffer Laura Harvey
At 5:00pm today at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, a massive challenge faces Russo, her team-mates and their Dutch coach Renee Slegers.
Arsenal hope to become the first team to topple Barcelona in the contest’s decider since Lyon’s triumph three years ago
The ten-time top-flight champs of Spain have won three of the last four finals
Their journey to this one included a semi-final dismantling of Chelsea with an 8-2 aggregate win.
Russo added: “They’ve been there and done it in almost everything.
“Knowing that we’re coming up against an absolute world-class team, we have to be at our best, switched on, humble and ready to go
“I feel if we weren’t, then we wouldn’t be in the final in the first place.”
The 50,095 capacity ground they will play in, home of Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, has hosted some memorable games in the past.
Encounters include Sporting’s 3-1 defeat of Manchester United in August 2003 in the stadium’s inaugural fixture.
A friendly in which the trickery of a then 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo caught the eye of ex-Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
A game that proved pivotal in influencing the Scotman’s decision to sign the forward who would go on to become the men’s Champions League’s all-time top scorer.
Today Russo wants to create some pivotal moments of her own just as she did during Arsenal’s semis knockout of Lyon last month.
“It’s going to be tough and we’re going to have to suffer in moments.
Alessia Russo
She scored her side’s third goal last as they pulled off a gutsy, second-leg fightback with the tournament’s record winners trounced 4-1 after their 2-1
And the striker, who netted seven goals in ten Champions League appearances, this term is willing to suffer to secure the win.
Russo added: “We want to leave everything on the pitch.
“It’s going to be tough and we’re going to have to suffer in moments.
“In games like this you just have to leave absolutely everything out there. I know that sounds cliché but it’s true.
“The more you’re playing in these games and dealing with the pressures, the highs and the lows of it all can only help you further down the line.
“We (my team-mates and me) talked about the biggest games in our careers.”
“This is definitely one of them. It’s massive for us all and to be doing it with Arsenal feels really special.”
The last clash between the Gunners and their opponents, ended in a heavy 4-0 group stage loss for the London side in December 2021
Today the Gunners have the bonus of an ex-Barca star Mariona Caldentey, 29, within their ranks.
The Champions League-winning experience of the Spain playmaker, who has lifted the trophy three-times in the past four years, will be crucial.
Russo said: “Mariona has got a crazy football brain and I’m sure she’s got some things up her sleeve.
“It’s nice to have input from her, not only just because she’s played for Barcelona, but because she’s won the Champions League and the World Cup.
“She knows how to win in these important moments.”
Arsenal’s last foray in a Champions League final 18 years ago resulted in a triumph over Umea after a two-match tie.
The decisive second leg for the team, then managed by former club kitman Vic Akers, ended as a 1-0 win at Boreham Wood with full-back Alex Scott’s strike sealing the victory.
It’s a game Russo and her pals have been watching in the run-up to today’s match.
The striker adds: “We were watching the highlights a couple of weeks ago of the second leg at Boreham Wood.
“It’s crazy to think that was the last time an English club won the Champions League.
“I was at an Adidas event with Rachel Yankey (who played in the match) and she reflected on the game.
PARusso reckons Mariona Caldentey’s experience of winnning the Champions League three times will be important for Arsenal[/caption]
“She recalled (the atmosphere) at Boreham Wood being electric.
“Rachel said the players wanted to use the crowd massively because our fans are incredible.
“I know we’ll have an amazing support out in Lisbon.”
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