In the run-up to the women’s league semifinals between the Arsenal and the Lyons, coach Joe Montemurro and midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk expressed their support and solidarity with the team. Their statement came after the bitter elimination of Olympique Lyonnais against Manchester United in quarterfinals of the Europa League, a setback that profoundly affected the morale of the players and the staff. The disappointment associated with this failure was palpable at the press conference, where the atmosphere was filled with frustration and the need to remobilize for the crucial game to come.

Joe Montemurro deplored the excessive importance of emotional factors in high-level encounters, stressing that technical football is often relegated to the background in the face of intense feelings. He observed that the teams, overwhelmed by these emotions, often end up playing a game more influenced by pressure and challenges than by technical mastery. The coach concluded that the victory, in this context, is the one that manages to better control and channel these feelings.

Daniëlle van de Donk also expressed his support for the Paulo Fonseca team and called for the passion of the Lyon and London fans, many of whom will attend the meeting. Despite the sadness caused by the recent elimination, she expressed the hope that the atmosphere of the match would be positive and vibrant, reflecting the fans’ attachment to women’s football and high-level competition.