LINKOPING, SWEDEN - SEPTEMBER 06: Caitlin Foord (2nd from right) celebrates scoring a goal for ... [+]
The Women's Champions League’s preliminary round continues with 8 matches, in which the victorious teams will advance to Round 2, the ultimate round set to take place later in October.
Round 2 will feature a two-legged tie in which only four clubs will secure their places in the group stage of the 2023/2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
In Group 3, a promising head-to-head is set to take place between France's top-tier division third-ranked team, Paris FC, and the Women’s Super League third-ranked team, Arsenal.
The two historic clubs will play each other for the first time with their eyes focused on the Round 2 ticket.
Alessia Russo Debuts For Arsenal FC
LINKOPING, SWEDEN - SEPTEMBER 06: Alessia Russo of Arsenal during the UEFA Women's Champions League ... [+]
Arsenal overcame the first hurdle of UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification on Wednesday night, beating Linkoping 3-0 in front of 7805 spectators.
The match witnessed the center-forward Alessia Russo and the right-wing Cloe Lacasse make debuts for the Gunners. On the left, Caitlin Foord completed the front three.
Linkoping’s compact defensive line deprived Arsenal of scoring in the first half, but in the second half, the story was different. In minute 53, Caitlin Foord scored the opener assisted by team captain Kim Little.
Inside the final ten minutes, the two former Linkoping players, the Swedish super substitute, Lina Hurtig, and Arsenal’s top scorer during the 2022/2023 season, Stina Blackstenius put the game to bed with two goals taking the Londoners through to the final on Saturday against les Parisiennes.
The Ballon d’Or nominee Katie McCabe made sure to contribute to the game by assisting Hurtig’s goal.
Hurtig and Blackstenius received an exceptionally warm welcome from the home fans who clamored for photos and autographs after the final whistle.
In a post-match interview, Hurtig couldn’t but talk about the connection she has with her former club. "It's great being back here. I had three and a half years here and I have some great memories, so it's amazing to be back."
Arsenal are now preparing for Saturday’s final vs. Paris FC to successfully win and progress to round 2 of the qualifying set to be played in October.
Predicted Arsenal Starting Eleven
Zinsberger; Catley, Ilestedt, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Little, Maanum, Walti; Lacasse, Russo, Foord.
Julie Dufour, The Hattrick Hero For Paris FC
Julie Dufour celebrating her hattrick after Paris FC's match vs. FC Kryvbas.
Two hours after Arsenal’s triumph, and in front of a 255-people shy crowd, Paris’ other historic women’s team alongside Paris Saint Germain, Paris FC proved to be too strong for their Ukrainian counterparts, FC Kryvbas, as the newcomer Julie Dufour scored a hat-trick in a comfortable 4-0 win for the Parisians.
After several offensive attempts in the match’s early minutes, Paris FC, who finished third in D1 Arkema last season, is finally rewarded. Mathilde Bourdieu perfectly serves Julie Dufour who nets her shot home.
At half-time, Paris FC was shyly leading before waking up in the second half. On a sumptuous backheel assist from club legend Gaëtane Thiney, the former “Bordelaise” Julie Dufour scored her second goal from a tight angle. A gem!
3 minutes later, Dufour added a third goal and thus scored the first hat trick of her career. Kaja Korošec, the other recruit, concluded with a fourth goal.
Predicted Paris FC Starting Eleven
Nnadozie; Bogaert, Greboval, Sissoko, Soyer; Korošec, Thiney, Corboz; Matéo, Bourdieu, Dufour.
Match Information
Occasion: UEFA Women’s Champions League – Round 1 Qualifiers.
Stadium: Linköping Arena.
Date: Saturday, September 9.
Kick-off: 03:00 p.m. local time.
