Eidevall on margins, details and Chelsea rivalry

Jonas Eidevall is looking forward to Friday's fixture against Chelsea in the Women's Super League as it's set to be another close battle.

"For me, the games we play against another top team on a good occasion, that's one of the reasons why I love working at football on this level," said Eidevall. 

"It's going to bring the best out of both teams. Margins, details - they are going to matter. We will need to fight so hard for every inch to try and get a competitive advantage in the game. 

"Everything we will do will matter and I honestly love that."

Reflecting on the performance at Emirates Stadium that saw us demolish our London rivals back in December, Eidevall wants to see the same energy this time around.

"It was one of the better ones. As I said before, I think we've had a few of those really, really good performances in the last two seasons. But I'm under no illusion, we will need to get the performance like that again on Friday to be able to win the game."

With Chelsea and Manchester City both three points ahead of us in the WSL table, Friday's match presents a huge opportunity to level the playing field again. But Eidevall is not entertaining thoughts about the title race. 

"I don't think like that. It's not a thought that's in my head. The only thought that is in my head is what we need to do to maximise our way to win the game. That's where 100% of my focus is on.

"I had an interesting observation when I was watching the penalty shootout between Arsenal and Porto. After the final whistle of extra time, there were two very different approaches between the two goalkeepers. 

"The Arsenal goalkeeper was taking a seat on the bench together with the goalkeeper coach and they were reviewing footage of what to expect from the Porto penalty takers and they were focusing on that. I saw the Porto goalkeeper inside the team huddle getting high fives from different team members and getting hugs and good wishes. 

"The intention of both ways is obviously to be successful, but what I believe in is doing things that will help your process. So for me to hope that we will win or to think about what will happen if we don’t win, it’s not going to help me.

"If I focus on the process just like Raya and his coach were focusing on the process and the relevant information, I think that increases your chances of winning. That’s where I choose to put my focus."

With Emma Hayes off to coach the US Women's National Team this summer, Eidevall was asked whether he'll miss going toe-to-toe with the manager in the Chelsea dugout.

"To be honest, the one thing I am going to miss is the competition. It’s never easy to compete against a team that she will coach because they will also be flexible, they will always have a plan for any scenario or instance and will have players who will be so dedicated to winning the game. I just like the challenge of that, to be playing against the best. 

"Emma is a very, very intelligent person to have conversations with about the game and I’ve really enjoyed those conversations. 

"You have two managers who really want to win with their respective teams, and of course, that’s how it should be, but it doesn’t mean you can’t communicate, learn and exchange ideas outside, so hopefully I won’t miss that and I will still be able to do that when she’s in her other role.