Alessia Russo Strikes Again, Clinches UCL Group Top Spot

Alessia Russo is enjoying a stellar run of form under Arsenal’s interim boss, Renee Slegers. The 25-year-old forward scored Arsenal’s second goal in their thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday securing top spot in their Women’s Champions League group. This goal marked Russo’s 11th of the season with 10 of those coming under Slegers including six in her last four games. After the match, Russo reflected on her journey, acknowledging that she had been her own harshest critic during her earlier struggles.

“As strikers, we all go through spells,” Russo said. “When things aren’t going well, it’s about focusing on training, and that’s what I’ve done.” Since Jonas Eidevall’s resignation in October, Russo has become a regular starter under Slegers. Initially, she scored just once in her first seven matches of the season but her form has dramatically improved since the coaching change.

“I’m enjoying my football,” Russo added, praising the team’s progress in training, particularly their work in the final third. “We’ve been working on finding different connections and creating various attacking options.” Arsenal head into the winter break full of confidence with Russo and the team looking forward to the Champions League quarter-final draw on February 7.

“We’ve been working really hard, and with the players and staff we have, I would always back us,” Alessia Russo stated, reflecting the optimism within the squad. With Arsenal’s strong performances and Russo’s exceptional form, the team is poised for an exciting second half of the season.