Renee Slesers called the “incredible” faith of Arsenal as the key to the last victory of their Women's Champions League on Barcelona on Saturday.
Sleges watched while Arsenal substitute Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal of the match in the 74th minute to numb the defending champion in the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
It saw the Gunners lift their second Champions League crown, 18 years after their first, which is the biggest gap between two trophies for a single club in the history of the tournament.
This season, Arsenal also eliminated the winners of the last nine combined Champions League editions (Lyon and Barcelona) and closed a remarkable turnaround under Slegers.
She initially took interim accusation from the club after Jonas Eidevall was taken out of his position in October and won her first 11 games over all games at the helm.
The 36-year-old became the permanent head coach in January, signed a deal of a year and a half and wrote History through Arsenal to European Glorie.
Arms indeed became the first Dutch manager to win the Women's Champions League, and the third general in the men's or women's competition, after Louis van Gaal (1995 with Ajax) and Frank Rijkaard (2006 with Barcelona).
“We knew it would be a game where momentum is shifting because we respect Barcelona, ​​who they are and how good they are on the ball,” Slagers told TNT Sports.
“But we also know how good we are. We knew that the momentum would shift. Maybe other people thought something else, but that is what we believed.
“We spoke about the first 10-20 minutes and manage the game because they normally come out quickly.
“They came here confidently and with all due respect we had to manage that phase of the game.
“In all the phases that took place we showed the mentality, the resilience, the effectiveness in all our actions and the faith was incredible.”
2 – @ARSENALWFC have won their second @UWCL; Their first was 18 years ago, the biggest gap between two trophies for a single club in the history of the tournament. Important. pic.twitter.com/bwchccmhlk
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) May 24, 2025
But the determining moment in the game may came when Slagers changed her couch in the 67th minute, where Barcelona stacked herself on the pressure for the opening goal.
The Arsenal boss introduced Beth Mead and Blackstenius, where the couple combines for the match-winning moment, while also has a general impact on the procedure.
Despite the fact that they only played in the final for 23 minutes, Blackstenius had the most shots (three) and gets into the opposition box (five) of every Arsenal player in the game.
“We knew that the decision -making would be the key, for the players on the field and us as staff,” Slagers added.
“The whole staff had prepared everything so well with so many details, and we knew that we had to take at the time of the sidelines.
“What to do, what to do, what to change and what not to change. Those on the field, those who entered, everyone did so well.”
23 – Despite playing only 23 minutes in the @UWCL -Final, Stina Blackstenius …
… had the most photos for Arsenal (3, including the goal) … made the most details in the Barcelona (5) box … made only 3 steps but completed them all
Sub. pic.twitter.com/a6rq3rfvjy
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) May 24, 2025
While the players around her celebrated, Slegers were quick to hitch her attention to the super league of the following season, after they had led the team to second place this year.
The Gunners last won the WSL in 2018-19 under Joe Montemurro, and butchers are of the opinion that the European triumph of her team will be a solid foundation to build inside.
“We want to keep building this. We believe in who we are and what we do and we want to keep building and continue to continue next season,” she said.
“Of course a club like Arsenal wants to win trophies.”