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Emily Keogh
BOREHAMWOOD, England — Arsenal’s 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League underscored the importance of having England striker Alessia Russo deployed as a central forward if the struggling team hopes to revitalize its season.
The match was critical for manager Renee Slegers and Arsenal, who had been teetering on the edge of falling out of Champions League playoff contention prior to their win at Meadow Park. This triumph has provided much-needed relief, largely due to Slegers’ decision to revert last season’s top< a data-league-guid="6343e3ed-7aff-3884-8553-50cf970031a6" href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/league/_/name/ENG.W.1">Women’s Super League goal scorer back to the striker role she thrives in.
In their prior three matches–two league draws against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, plus a 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League–Russo played in a No. 10 role, with Stina Blackstenius leading as striker. Despite needing results from these matches, the goals eluded them, and opportunities were wasted.
During those three games, Russo struggled to contribute for the full match duration, often retreating too far to assist defensively, dampening her ability to finish moves and capitalize on scoring chances. This tactic may have been employed to stabilize the midfield in the absence of injured star Kim Little, whose absence forced Mariona Caldentey into a deeper role. Consequently, this diminished Arsenal’s attacking edge, contributing to their inability to score against Spurs or secure favorable outcomes versus Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
While Blackstenius brings significant talent, she doesn’t fit the strategic needs of Arsenal’s play. It wasn’t until Russo returned to her natural No. 9 position around the 60th minute against Real Madrid that Arsenal began creating serious scoring opportunities. This was already demonstrated in her later efforts against Chelsea—had she started that match at the forefront, Arsenal’s league position could have looked markedly different.
Against Real Madrid, Slegers altered her approach, and it proved effective. The Madrid defense struggled to manage Russo’s consistent threat, as her speed and box movement were too challenging to counter. Once on the move, Russo was relentless.
First, Russo expertly headed in a looping cross from Chloe Kelly to equalize after Caroline Weir had opened the scoring. Russo followed up by heading in a precise corner from Caitlin Foord to clinch the win. Notably, despite admitting to difficulties scoring headers in 2023, Russo’s improvement is evident, thanks to her work with the set-piece coach during training to broaden her goal-scoring repertoire.
Following the match, Slegers praised Russo’s relentless effort, stating, “You want to say so many things about Alessia because there are so many facets to her. She works hard; she gives 100 percent every day. Her role on the team is reflected in her on-field performance.”
“Everyone recognizes how effective Alessia is as a No. 9 with her hold-up play, linking ability, pressing, and finishing skills. She’s really impressive,” Slegers added.
For Arsenal to implement their desired style, having the 26-year-old positioned in the box is crucial. The difference in team effectiveness with and without Russo leading the attack is stark, revealing that her box presence significantly benefits the team’s performance compared to her more creative roles, which have often fallen short.
Slegers acknowledged it’s sometimes challenging to determine Russo’s best position, given her diverse skillset. However, her acclaim for Russo, a pivotal player in England’s recent Euros successes, highlights why the team often bases its strategy around her optimum positioning for any given match.
“Alessia is multifaceted, both as an athlete and a human. She supports her teammates exceptionally well, exemplifying the right behaviors, fostering inclusivity, and demonstrating a committed work ethic every day,” Slegers stated.
“She conducts herself with respect and humility, and her approach to life, sports, and her role in the team is reflected in her performance on the field.”
Currently, Arsenal has only secured four wins from nine league games, along with four draws and a significant loss to Manchester City, marking their worst season start since 2014. However, the win against Real Madrid offers them a bit more room to maneuver in the Champions League.
Yet, Arsenal has a chance to turn their fortunes around. Last season, they staged a remarkable comeback against Real Madrid after falling behind by two goals in the Champions League quarterfinals. For the team to regain its momentum and achieve some semblance of last year’s success, placing Russo at the forefront as the starting striker will be vital, ideally channeling the spirit of their impressive victory over Madrid into their upcoming fixtures.