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Arsenal forward Alessia Russo is set to make her first UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout stage appearance on Tuesday evening as the Gunners face off in Madrid. The England international, who joined Arsenal in the summer of 2023, missed out on European action last season after the club was eliminated in the preliminary round. Now, Russo and her teammates are eager to make the most of their opportunity.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Madrid, Russo expressed her excitement ahead of the quarter-final clash. “I’m really excited. I was just saying to Renee it’s my first quarter-final in the Champions League, so I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. 

“The squad’s in a good place. We had a positive result on Friday and we’ve seen a lot of each other this week, travelling and playing games, but we’re in a good place as a team.”

A key figure Russo has relied on throughout the season, and particularly leading up to this match, is Spanish international Mariona Caldentey. The former Barcelona star signed for Arsenal last summer and has provided crucial experience ahead of the Madrid encounter.

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“She is definitely a Barcelona fan! Since she’s come, I feel like I’ve learned a lot from her too. She’s a world-class player and person as well,” Russo said of her teammate. “If you need anything, she’s there, and I like to talk football with her because she comes from a completely different style and culture of football than what I’ve grown up with in England. But you can see our qualities all over the pitch, and I really enjoy playing with her.”

Russo is currently on track for her best goal-scoring season yet, and when asked by a Spanish journalist about the key to her improvement, she credited her happiness and team environment.

“I’m just enjoying my football,” she said. “I’ve said it before, and I always play my best football when I’m happy and enjoying the games. At the moment, I just can’t wait for the games to come around, especially nights like tomorrow night. I feel happy and valued within the team, which is always nice, and I’m just trying to get the best out of myself to see how I can get the best out of others too.”

Arsenal remain the only British club to have won the Women’s Champions League, having lifted the trophy in 2007. Russo acknowledged the club’s rich history and her ambition to add to its legacy.

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“When you sign for Arsenal, you understand the legacy of the club and the history of their successes in winning trophies. I want to be a part of that with this club. I want to keep pushing and keep winning trophies—there’s nothing like winning a trophy with your team.”

Despite her impressive form, Alessia Russo insists she has not focused on any one particular area of improvement this season. Instead, she continues to develop as a striker.

“I always try and work on things throughout the season and just throughout time in general. I still feel like there’s lots that I want to work on and lots that I want to keep getting better at. Playing as a number nine, I probably didn’t understand at first how much work and learning the position requires, but as you get older, you become more intelligent in how you play. It’s all about tiny moments and fine margins. I’m enjoying myself, I’m enjoying learning, and I want to keep working hard.”

Arsenal will hope Russo’s enjoyment translates into success on the pitch as they take on Madrid on Tuesday. The game kicks off at 5:45 pm UK time and will be broadcast live on the DAZN YouTube channel and TNT Sports in the UK.

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